We lost to better side — Otto Pfister

PAPA Otto Pfister, Head Coach of Zamalek whom Hearts of Oak beat to lift the Super Champions Cup last Sunday, has admitted that Zamalek lost to a better side.

Otto Pfister noted that even though he mapped out a well-rehearsed strategy to hold key players like Emmanuel Osei Kuffuor, Ishmael Addo and Charles Taylor in check, his players failed to play according to instructions.

He expressed surprise that the three key Hearts players had a field day and succeeded in punching holes in the Zamalek defence to score two goals to silence his team.

He said when both teams meet in Spain in the World Cup in July, the world would see a different team.

Papa Otto Pfister said he was compelled to pull out Hossam Hassan, Zamalek’s top striker, because he was visibly tired and was also a victim of vigorous tackles by the Hearts defence.

His substitution was therefore to inject fresh blood into the attacking machinery, but all was in vain.

He dismissed fears that his job would be on the line for failing to clinch the super championship trophy, adding that his contract with the club is to lead them to Spain.

He was full of praise for Hearts for the victory in the Super Champions match and advised the players not to allow complacency to take the greater part of them.

He expressed interest in some of the Hearts players but said he would have to discuss the issue with the club’s management. He declined to mention the names of players he would like to recruit for Zamalek.

On his part, Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, Head of the Hearts technical bench, commended Kumasi fans for turning out in their numbers to cheer the team onto victory.

He noted that his players responded to instructions not to allow Zamalek players to settle in the game. In effect, Hearts evolved a well-rehearsed strategy to ensure that Zamalek did not play according to their pattern.

This he said paid off as Hearts shot into the lead in the 11th minute and sealrd victory less than a minute into the second half.

Coach Attuquayefio said Hearts would break camp soon but reassemble early enough to prepare to meet Real Madrid of Spain in the first match of the World Cup series.

He said all along he was optimistic that Hearts could beat Zamalek to win the Super Champions trophy to beat Manchester United’s enviable record.

He thanked management for engaging in a good recruitment exercise to replace key players who are joining the exodus train.