While self styled pundits predicted a walkover for Enyimba against Heartland,one lone voice knew the Federation Cup could go either way. FORMER Abia governor Orji Uzor Kalu Monday maintained that Heartland knew so much about Enyimba and were favoured by history.

HE SAID,”Both teams are twins,always at “war” like Iran and Iraq but never apart. In  their early years at the Imo FA Cup final, the side tagged ‘underdogs’, wore red but won the cup.

That was the luck of Enyimba in 1976 and 1977.Weekend, the lot fell on Heartland.” According to the ex-governor, Enyimba were labelled underdogs in 1976-1977.However,with less known players like Ahamefula Umelo, Ike Madukairo,

Chijioke(Anwunta)Anyiam, Idika Aku(Pele) and Ben Akanu (Picollo),they embarrassed Spartans(todays Heartland).Even when the government drafted the good Enyimba players to Owerri new pesky stars like Evans Ikwuegbu (Mpoto) and Emma(Terror) Ajunwa emerged.

”In those early years, Enyimba wore red while their twin brothers who chose the blue jersey saw red. Aba had a way round Owerri through dark horses,” Kalu explained. While urging Enyimba to go for CAF glory, he described Heartland as a bunch of experienced legs. “Underdogs indeed.

Damien Ude and Chibuzor Ozurumba won the Champions League in 2004 with Enyimba. Chicago Efugh, Julius Ubido, Emma Olowo, Ike Ibenegbu, Daniel Akpenyi and my namesake Kalu Orji all played in the 2009 CAF Champions League final against T.P.Mazembe.