Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, coach of Accra Hearts of Oak, said on Tuesday that despite people giving Africa Sport a little chance of progressing to the finals, he thinks they are the "dark Horse in group A and should be watched".
"If what I saw of Africa Sport would be repeated in Tunis then it will not surprise me if they win to qualify for the finals". Jones was in Abidjan over the weekend to watch the rescheduled match between Africa Sport of Cote d'Ivoire and the South African counterparts, Mamelodi Sundowns.
The match was pushed to last Sunday due to the political turmoil in in that country. The Ivorians trounced the visitors 6-1. In an interview with the GNA, coach Attuquafio was full of praise for the high level of performance put by both sides.
"I watched a game of the highest standards with the two teams using two different styles which added more spice to the game".
The 6-1 victory by Africa Sports which threw Group A wide open as previously high flying Sundowns are now third with nine points, the same as Esperance, but with inferior goals take on winless Sable de Batie of Cameroon at home while the Ivorians trek to Tunisia for a win-at-all encounter against Esperance.
The coach attributed Sundown's heavy defeat to a tactical error from their bench, "because when they conceded the first goal, instead of consolidating their defence (they) rather adopted a three back line in an attempt to equalise, thus allowing the fast and skilful Ivorian attackers to run riot at the back on the break".
Hearts who by virtue of the 1-1 draw in Cairo two week ago against El-Ahly have already booked their place in the finals of the competition take on Jean d'Arc of Senegal on Sunday.
"Even though we have already qualified for the finals making Sunday's match academic, to some people, we should also not forget that there are financial rewards for the winner and for goals scored. This alone is a motivation for the boys to win and win convincingly".
On the issue of a significant number of his first team players risking being ineligible for the finals if they attract further yellow cards in Sunday's match, the coach said he is aware of the situation and he is giving a serious thought to suggestions of using his second team for the match in order to have the full strength for first leg final.
He urged all supporters to troop to the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday because the players have a secret birthday treat for them to mark the 89th anniversary of their darling club.
