Herbert Addo: We were poor against Edubiase

Hearts Of Oak head coach Herbert Addo says the poor performance of his players in the first half contributed to their 1-2 loss to New Edubiase United in the FCP Premier League on Wednesday in Accra.

The ‘Phobians’ failed to record their first victory at the Accra Sports Stadium this season, thanks to first half goals from Alhassan Nuhu and Fuseini Nuhu, with Shaun October scoring the consolation for the former league champions.

Addo told pressmen after the game that his players did not live up to expectations because he psyched them well ahead of the game because of the victory they had against Asante Kotoko.

He noted that the two goals his side conceded were bad and that the team could have prevented letting in the goals, adding that New Edubiase United played well and took their chances.

"It was a match of two halves. In the first half everything was wrong for us. We tried to psyche the boys up after the Kotoko match. We went to camp and did everything possible for them not to be complacent. I don’t know what was in their minds. They just did not play well in the first half. Our opponents were waiting for their chance and when the chance came, they took it. When we were beaten in the first half they woke up in the second half but we were able to redeem only a goal. New Edubiase United played well. In fact, I was very sad because how I expected the boys to act, react and behave; I didn’t see that in the first half. The goals we conceded are not goals that we should concede. It was like giving away Christmas presents. It is very unfortunate. We still need to work hard.’’

Addo revealed that he did not include burly striker Gilbert Fiamenyo in the 18-man squad because he was not well, noting that he played through injury in their 1-0 triumph over Asante Kotoko, adding that he hopes he recovers on time ahead of their Champions League encounter with AS Police of Benin on Sunday.

"In Kumasi, Fiamenyo was sick but for tactical reasons we put him in because now that he is scoring everybody’s eyes are on him, and every match he plays, he scores about two goals. He is not well. We couldn’t take the risk again. I hope he will be good for Sunday’s game.’’

The experienced trainer also expressed discontent with the performance of his young goalkeeper Seidu Mutawakilu.

"I was so sad. The other day I talked about a goal he conceded, which I felt as a national goalkeeper he shouldn’t have. Since then Eddie Ansah has been working on him. He wasn’t comfortable with crosses but I think he is getting better. He is a young keeper, and this is the first time he is playing in the Premier League, so we need to continue to encourage him.’’