Pride and not points will be at stake when Heartland host Enyimba in a rematch of the recent Federation Cup final.

Both regional rivals will finish outside the top four of the Nigeria Premier League this season, but that will not diminish the rivalry between the two Eastern teams.

Enyimba are seventh on the table with 58 points, while Heartland are four spots below on 49 points.

Heartland defeated Enyimba 1-0 to lift the Federation Cup in Lagos two months ago and not long after, the Aba outfit were also eliminated in this year’s CAF Champions League.

Heartland have insisted they will not take ‘The People’s Elephant’ lightly.

“This game is only about the show of supremacy as both teams do not really have anything at stake. So, it will be to entertain the fee-paying spectators who will come to cheer us to another victory,” skipper Chinedu Efugh said.

“We know Enyimba will be coming to prove a point here that they are continental champions but we are in no mood to give them the room to operate. We are playing this game to prove that our victory over them in the Federation Cup was no fluke.”

“We cannot take them for granted. We will make sure we approach the game as if the Federation Cup never took place. It will be foolhardy for anybody to take them lightly,” added Heartland spokesman Cajetan Nkwopara.

“Enyimba could still be dangerous so, we have to come out in our best form because we need the three points at stake.”

Super Eagles right fullback Chibuzor Okonkwo shone like a million stars in the 3-1 win over Rangers but missed the Federation Cup final due to a thigh injury.

He said he will follow-up on his goal against Rangers last week.

“I hope to continue from where I left off in the Rangers game and punish Enyimba with some good goals to show that we are the king of the Eastern region this season,” said Okonkwo.

“Any day, anytime, all games involving both sides have always been explosive even when nothing is at stake but pride as is the case in this match but we are motivated to nick this one.”