Heartland In Nervy Title Defence Against Lobi

WITH a brand new silver-coloured giant trophy donated by Governor Babatunde Fashola at stake and lots of fun promised spectators and teams, all is set for 2012 Federation Cup finals.The encounter, taking place today at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, promises to be action-packed. It is the second finals that Heartland Football Club of Owerri, is featuring in as many years.But it is Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi, which is still basking in the euphoria of their victory over league leaders, Kano Pillars Football Club of Kano, in one of the semifinals of the competition, that is threatening to pull the rug off the feet of a demoralised Heartland FC.The cup holders trip to Lagos has been anything but a jolly ride, due largely to monetary concerns, which they have made serious efforts to put behind them and forge ahead.On the flipside, the Makurdi-based side has had a jolly good ride to this point and is now ready to cap it up with a great display.However, their Owerri-based opponents have maintained that they have put their troubles behind them and prepared do their supporters proud.According to midfielder, Bartholomew Ibenegbu, Heartland would never underrate Lobi because of the dire implications of doing so, adding that 'we may not have as much money as other teams, but in this game we know how to win important matches.'Apart from Fashola governors Gabriel Suswam and Rochas Okorocha of Benue and Imo state, Chairman People's Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji (Dr) Bamanga Tukur, Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and Inspector General of Police M. D. Abubakar and some of the dignitaries expected at the stadium, where 10,000 secondary school students will be admitted to free the game free.
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