In Accra Hearts of Oak, there are many players whose quality is not in dispute. Of course, the club administrators and the technical bench complement the effort of the players in both the local and continental football tournaments.
Hearts of Oak have won the national league four times on the trot, a feat unequalled by any Ghanaian club. So far, the club runs unbeaten in the CAF Championship League and gunning for the ultimate. The question then is: Who can stop Accra Hearts of Oak?
Anybody who is somebody in football will say to Hearts: "To wo boasi na die obe buwu be ba." This literally means, your conquerors are on the way coming. Among the conquerors are Esperance of Tunisia, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, and of course, the awakened sleeping giants Africa Sports of Cote d'Ivoire. To me, Africa Sports stand the best chance of conquering the Phobians. Twice winners of the African Cup Winners Cup, the last only last year, and one- time winners of the Africa Super Champions Cup, Africa Sports of Cote d'Ivoire are the form team of the moment. Among their victims are El Ahly and Ferroviaro. Having won the Ivorian F/A Cup 14 times and the league trophy 11 times, the Green and Red team is set to fire on all cylinders to win their group match so as to earn the ticket to play in the 2001 World Club Championships.
In their favourite colours of Green and Red they play the 4-3-3 formation under one-time national team coach Yeo Martial. According to Yeo Martial, "what we love most is goals - the more that are scored and the more spectacular they are the better we like it." Africa Sports players have now risen to their peak, exuding confidence and competence. Ask Kossi Agassa and Jacquss, the goalkeepers, and they'll tell you what they do before their encounters.
Of course, Ibrahim Diou Mady, Moussa Dumbia, Edgar Loue, Amadu Keita, Jean Sylvester Kone and Adama Clofi Kone are right and ready. Camara, Kone Adama, Ibrahim Kons, Eric Melanie, Babou, Abdel Kader Keita, Issifou Dante Alhassane, Lansana Dao, Seydou Mariko Moussa Timite and Kobbi fear no foe. This is the team Hearts of Oak must fear, especially if they beat Esperance of Tunisia. Hearts have prepared for Espared for the Ivorians. And Africa Sports of Cote d'Ivoire is the likely club to stop Hearts of Oak from winning the CAF Championship League.
