Enyimba and Heartland are set to renew their rivalry when they meet in a pre-season friendly at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Wednesday.

The encounter will serve as an important test for both sides as they continue preparations for the 2026/27 football season.

With both clubs making several additions to their squads during the off-season, the fixture provides an opportunity for their new players to adapt and for the coaches to assess their options before competitive action begins.

Enyimba will enter the game with high ambitions for the upcoming Nigeria Premier Football League campaign.

The Aba-based club is targeting a record-extending 10th NPFL championship and will hope to use the friendly to build momentum ahead of the new season.

Heartland, meanwhile, have a different objective. The Owerri-based side will be looking to put together a squad capable of securing promotion to the Nigeria National League.

A strong performance against their regional rivals could provide encouragement as they prepare for that challenge.

The meeting is expected to attract attention because of the history between the two Oriental clubs, with local bragging rights adding extra interest despite the non-competitive nature of the fixture.

Beyond the result, both teams are likely to focus on fitness, tactical combinations and integrating their recent recruits.

The match should also give fringe players an opportunity to stake a claim for regular places.

For Enyimba and Heartland, the friendly represents another step towards ensuring their squads are ready for their respective targets when the new campaign gets underway.