Giant-killers Monoz date Heartland

Monoz who have since earned the accolade of Africas giant killers go into the battle field hoping to extend their good run in the competition that has seen them massacre some of the continents football powerhouses.

The Zimbabwean champions have an impressive home record after outclassing South Africas Ajax Cape Town and the competitions former champions, ASEC Mimosas of Cote dIvoire, in the run up to the lucrative mini-league stage where they brushed off the challenge of Tunisian giants Etoile du Sahel, a fortnight ago.

Reports from Nigeria, last week told of a nightmarish trip for Monoz in the West African jungle of African football. Their hosts reportedly neglected their visitors at the airport for more than 24 hours. They were later transported to a local hotel a member of the Monoz delegation described as a lodge that is on its knees with everything on malfunction.

But whether it was one of Heartlands mind-games to demoralise the Southern Africans, who have the potential to pull a surprise victory in the Nigerians backyard, or a matter of a country with genuine poor infrastructure, head Coach Rowell Dhlakama will not let any of that come his way.

“Although this treatment ranks among the worst I have encountered, we are staying focused on the game. But it would be folly for any coach to force players to perform after all this, he told Zimbabwean journalists in Nigeria.

The ploy is not only inhuman but also a bad advert for the competition.” Heartland desperately need the three points more than their visitors, if they are to maintain hopes of making it to the semi-finals. They suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of TP Mazembe, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), two weeks ago.

A point away from home for the Zimbabwean league champions, who will be missing dreadlocked striker Daniel Zokoto through suspension, will be a trophy after such an unwelcoming treatment.

The visitors have got an option of playing former CAPS United forward Tendai Gwata, who was cleared by CAF to play for Monozs next matches. Gwata was registered together with former Gunners defender Witness Nyamutsaka, Matthew Rusike and Joseph Mutambiranwa.

Although they do not have much information about their opponents, Monomotapa manager Clayton Munemo remained upbeat about their chances of snatching points away from home.

“I dont know much about Heartland but from the few shots I have seen of them on television they are a good side. They seem to play a physical and passing game but I think we can match them, we just have to ensure that we are quicker, said Munemo.

Heartland were Nigerian league champions four years in a row from 1987-90. They finished second in the Nigerian premier league last year, launching their return to the African Safari. Assistant coach Okey Emordi had his fair share of the champions league successes in the past with Enyimba and his experience could come in handy.