The head coach of in-form Kpando based Premier League side Heart of Lions, Hans Van Der Pluijm has promised that qualifying to participate in next season’s CAF/MTN Champions League, is the main target of the club this season. Lions who have being in fantastic form this season especially in the second round of the on-going Onetouch Premiership are currently placed fourth on the league table with thirty-eight points after leaders Accra Hearts of Oak, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Obuasi Ashgold.
According to the former Ashgold Dutch trainer who is also in his second romance with the Kpando club, with seven matches to end the season, he sees his club in a greater position of being among the first two teams at the end of the second to warrant them a CAF/MTN Champions League place.
During his welcome speech almost a year ago when he joined the club for the second time, the Dutch trainer, promised to transform the side but refused to make any prediction as to where supporters should expect their idol club at the finish of the season, and it seems he has really transformed the side judging from their impressive performances this season.
When asked whether is side possess what it takes in participating in Champions League after bowing out of the competition three season’s ago when the secured qualification, he said both the playing body and the club has matured now and with the support of our chairman I know we will prove wonders when we qualify.
Like they did during their maiden participation in the elite division in the 2003 soccer season when they handed a lone goal defeat on Porcupine Warriors, Asante Kotoko at their Kpando base, they again repeated the same dose against Kotoko this time around on Kotoko’s own grounds at Konongo.
Not only did they achieve that feat but also become the first club to beat CAF Confederation Cup campaigners Tema Youth at their Tema base before adding Champions League campaigners Ashgold to their list of victims as they thrashed the miners 3-0 last week to make the fearsome side in the on-going Premier League.
He said, the current playing body is really determined to make history as they have vowed to make it to the competition next season.
“Almost every member of the current playing body has vowed give off his maximum in our seven remaining matches. To them their worse result in the remaining matches should be a draw either on home soil or not” he said.
“My boys are in their top of shape and considering the current blowing in the camp, I see the team recording not less than five victories in our seven remaining matches” he added.
Touching on management, Hans, whose side plays Alhaji Gunzah’s King Faisal at the Kpando Park in their next League game after holding then to a 1-1 at Sunyani during the first round, praised the management team for showing their support whenever the technical team calls on them. He also praised the bank-roller and founder of the club Victor Ahiakpor, for his supports and always rising to the occasion when the playing body needed him.
