Jones expresses disgust at Chokri's behaviour

Mr Jones Attuquayefio, head coach of Accra Hearts of Oak has expressed disgust at the unprofessional behavior of Esperance veteran goalkeeper Chokri Elouier adding " I will recommend him for sanctioning from the football authorities when I have my way."

"For an experienced player of his caliber to take an empty tear gas canister to inflict an injury on himself to have a team disqualified is unpardonable, but luckily for us the assistant referee saw everything. He let his team down when they had the opportunity to give Hearts a very good run for the trophy but he, as captain showed a bad example,” he added.


On the Match, Jones said he did not panic when the team was a goal down because Hearts had found themselves in such situations on many occasions and knew his players had the ability to overturn events. He said he has inculcated into the team the spirit of resilience and knew "that until the bones are rotten" they have not lost and would at all cost come out victorious.


Jones said he would take a week's break for the Christmas and ponder over his next move before starting preparations for the World Clubs Championship in Spain and the Champions of Champions match against Zamalek in February. "Whatever Hearts has achieved today is a victory for discipline, respect for each other from management, players, technical staff as well as the fans, who have stayed with the team through thick and thin".


Mr Ato Ahwoi, Executive Board Chairman of the team, said the victory had not yet sunk in and would take him some time to come to terms with what the players have achieved for Hearts, the country and themselves.


"I think the changes made by the coach made the difference because this changed the whole direction of the game after the Tunisians seemed to be on top.” He thanked the fans for their support and said the celebrations are not yet over, adding that "tonight we would present the cup to the Council of Patrons and on Monday go on a float through the principal streets of Accra and present the Cup to the President at the Castle.
Skipper Jacob Nettey, was lost of words as he could not describe how he felt after captaining the team to win the cup that had eluded the Club for many years.

"We knew the game was not going to easy and we prepared very well but we were a little bit disturbed when the Tunisians took the lead but we remained undaunted because it was not the first we have fallen behind in such matches."


Osei Kuffour, who emerged the goal-king in this years African Championships League said "I feel great and think my performance merits the best player award in this year's competition". He said his next step is to focus on the World Clubs Championship and the Champions of Champions match and then move to Europe to continue his career.


Ofei Ansah, the Assistant Coach, who was a player of the team when they last played in the final in 1979, said he felt great to be a member of the team in another capacity to win the cup for the first time. "This is a year for Accra Hearts of Oak and never did I think Esperance would be able to stand in our way, even though until the unfortunate behavior of their goalkeeper they had given a very good account of themselves."


He asked all fans to celebrate with Accra Hearts of Oak since the victory is not only for Hearts fans but for Ghana soccer as a whole.


Meanwhile, tooting of horns by taxi drivers in Tema and taking to the streets by Hearts of Oak supporters and other football fans, formed part of how people expressed joy when the Champion Club emerged victorious in the grand finale of the African Champions League Cup.

The fan continued to shout the slogans for Hearts, "Phobia, our boys are good" and sang dirges in praise of the Champion Club.
Mr Maxwell Aduafo, a football fan, who supports Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs said the victory for hearts is a victory for Ghana soccer, and praised Ghanaians for giving the Champion Club an overwhelming support that has contributed to lifting of "this African Cup of honour".


Mr Kofi Anoh, who supports Kotoko, praised Hearts for their victory, but said they made Ghanaians to sit on thorns for a long time, before coming out with the needed goals for victory.


Mr Kingsley Dasi, also Kotoko supporter said, with their good performance, Hearts deserves the African Club Cup, and cautioned them not to rest on their oars so that they can make Ghana proud when they go to Spain next year for the World Club competition .


Sulemana Bansi, Hearts spokesman for site one who has hoisted the club's flag for the past five months said, "I will soon sit down with other supporters in the area to plan a big victory celebrations within the next few days even before the end of the Moslem Ramadan".