Hearts Fans Celebrate

Hearts of Oak fans in Accra, the Ghanaian capital, were still bathing in jubilation Sunday following their club's 2-1 victory Saturday over Esperance of Tunisia in the first leg final of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League Cup.

There was an explosion of joy in Accra Saturday when the fans heard the final whistle go in Tunis, where the first-leg match was staged.

Thousands of Hearts supporters left their television or radio sets and milled into the streets of Accra, singing songs in praise of the club, which celebrated its 89th anniversary on 11 November.

Most of the supporters dressed in red, blue and yellow colours of the club, carried flags.

Taxi cabs bedecked in club colours sped in the streets, honking and blaring their horns, as groups of supporters responded with chants of " Phobia, Phobia, Phobia".

Drinking pubs made serious business Saturday night as jubilant fans celebrated the away victory.

The match itself lived up to expectation with both sides throwing everything into it.

Esperance scored the first goal in the 42nd minute through striker Ali Zetouni to translate their first half dominance into an advantage.

Two minutes into the second half, Emmanuel Osei Kuffour hit the back of the net with a glancing header, but referee Lim Kin Chong ruled it offside.

But that did not deter the Ghanaian team. In the 52nd minute, Ishmael Addo squeezed a low shot in for the equaliser.

In the 62nd minute, Hearts defender, Amankwa Mireku was sent off for retaliation, conceding a numerical advantage to the Tunisians.

As the Tunisians moved forward looking for the leader, substitute Emmanuel Adjogu exhibited a moment of extraordinary brilliance in the 78th minute.

He meandered through the Esperance rear guard and played a one-two with Edmund Copson, before setting up Kuffour who whipped the ball low into the net for the match winner.

By this victory Hearts are almost home and dry in the African Champions League as they host the Tunisians in the grand finale at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday 17 December.