Enyimba Battle Heartland

Heartland coach, Nduka Ndubuisi has ruled out any form of bitterness in Matchday 33 derby at Enyimba in Aba on Thursday.

The People’s Elephants won the first fixture 3-2 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

NPL actually directed Heartland who were then squatting at Nnewi to host their southeast neighbours at Enugu.

Ndubuisi, who was not part of the first fixture clash in Enugu, told SuperSport.com that revenge is far away from his mind as they head to the crucial clash in Aba.

“We’re not having any special preparations for the game but the normal preparations for any other games.

“It’s a brotherly game, the usual healthy rivalry.

“It’s not a do-or-die affair, revenge never crossed my mind.

“I’m not factoring the first fixture defeat into this game, it has gone forever.

“We believe this is a crucial fixture we need to get three points to improve on our position on the log.

“The players are raring to go and they want to impress, too. The players know each other and have at one time or another featured for both teams.

“It will be football at its best. Besides, we want to make a bold statement that the oriental is the hobnob of football,” he said.

The Naze Millionaires are ninth on the log on 46 points though with a match at hand, the former Plateau United gaffer is positive that his wards are still continental candidate.

“Nothing has been fore closed till the last whistle, we’re still positive of finishing among the best four.

“The remaining matches are crucial, we’ve resolved not to drop points,” he said.