Middendorp to recall Osei Kuffour and others

Accra, Feb 25, GNA - Ernest Middendorp, newly appointed coach of Accra Hearts of Oak has declared his intension to recall some of the transfer-listed players back into the club.

The coach who was making his first public appearance after sealing a two-year contract with the Phobians earlier this week, said the recall of the players will provide the necessary blend for the club in its quest to make an impact in this year's Confederation of African Football (CAF) Championship League which kick starts in March.

He named the players he intends recalling as the midfield duo of Emmanuel Osei Kuffour and Edmund Copson.

The coach explained to the GNA Sports that he would hold discussions with the management of the club to see how best the duo could be fused into the club again to provide their needed experience. He said though the new crop of young players in the team are showing a lot of prospect for the future, "the team in the short term needs the services of Kuffour and the others to succeed in Africa" he said.

The coach said his immediate task with Hearts is to raise a formidable team capable of qualifying for the money zone of the champions' league, a fate that has eluded them since their championship-winning year of 2000.

Hearts are scheduled to be in Mali in two weeks time as guest of Stade Malien in Bamako in the first leg preliminary round of the Champions' league.

The German hinted that he would work hand in hand with the team's current technical team of Ofei Ansah, Adolf Amarh and Sampson Lamptey and their immediate task will be to focus on the stamina and tactics of the team.

On his job, the former Asante Kotoko coach said he anticipates a smooth working relationship with the Phobians, adding "we have discussed a lot of things which gives me hope that we will make it together". Elaborating on his expectations of the team, Middendorp said he hopes to continue winning more silver wares for the club.

Middendorp 45, is having his second stint in Ghana having coached Kotoko between 2000 and 2003 football seasons during the Herbert Mensah administration.

The "temperamental coach" was credited to have played a critical role in the rebuilding of Kotoko whose pedigree by then had sunk to an all time low on the local scene.

He however left Ghana unceremoniously after a perceived misunderstanding between him and the P. V Obeng Board in 2002.