World Cup is Hearts' next dream

After grouping in the wilderness for 90 years, Ghana's Accra Hearts of Oak have finally made it, and made it really big.

Not only have they won the domestic league four times on trot, they added the FA Cup to their collection, annexed the clubs championship trophy, all in one season.

And in the ninth CAF Super Cup match played at the Kumasi Stadium on Sunday, not only did Hearts prove the mettle they are made of but also reduced Zamalek to quite an ordinary side to warn the rest of the World what to expect in the World Clubs Championship in Spain from July 29 to August 12.

Zamalek, coming from the northern part of the continent where the teams have dominated such competitions, might have come with a lot of confidence but Hearts proved them wrong.

The Egyptians, at one time, looked so ordinary that many fans kept wondering if those were the same Papa Otto Pfister boys many had predicted would give Hearts the shock of their lives.

On the eve of the match, Hearts' Chapter Nine, the livewire of the club's supporters union organized a float through the principal streets of Kumasi, displaying pictures of the African Clubs championship trophy Hearts won against Esperance of Tunisa on December 17, 2000.

The expected euphoria that should have greeted the event was absent for various reasons. First, was the rumor that Dong Bortey of GHAPOHA, who had expressed the desire to play for Asante Kotoko, had been kidnapped by elements suspected to be Hearts men.

Besides, the old issue of Hearts rejecting a donation from Mr J.A. Kufuor, then NPP presidential candidate prior to the second leg final against Esperance resurfaced, not to mention an announcement that was allegedly made that the match would start at 5p.m. as well as high gates fees charged.

With such sentiments on the minds of Kumasi fans, many were those who expressed the desire not to go to the stadium but to watch the match but what "God has ordained no one can put asunder," with apologies to Okumkom Nana Akwasi Agyemang, ex-Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive.

Nevertheless, attendance was quite encouraging as most of the stands werev filled. The support was superb and even massive. What many feared would rob Hearts of a resounding victory was the fact that after clinching the championship trophy, some key players of the club went to Europe for trial matches, a factor they thought would rob the club of the needed cohesion and team work.

The fact that after fielding such experienced players, Hearts could get players such as Eben Dida, Agyeman Duah and the like not even on the bench attests to the crop of players the Phobians can boast of.

In fact, Hearts' road to African glory in the first place was arduous as they had to battle the giants of Africa soccer like El Ahly of Egypt, Jean d'Arc of Senegal and Lobi Stars of Nigeria.

Their 100 percent record of not losing a single match also showed that they are not only fearsome but also conquerors as far as soccer is concerned on the African Continent.

Hearts' tactical display, coupled with determination to win the cup at all cost to appease their fans who have not had the dance to celebrate a continental victory since the series began, was a harbinger of a clear hope that the year belonged to the Phobia Boys. They concentrated on their preparations.

In the end Papa Otto Pfister had to admit in a post-match interview that his team lost to a better side and praised the playing body and the technical team of Hearts for a well-deserved victory. Indeed, Hearts made sure to curb the threat posed by Zamalek's veteran striker Hossam Hassan by subjecting him to close marking whilst at the same time seizing the mid-field and directing affairs.

None of the Hearts players was in anyway intimidated by the size and physique of the Zamalek lads. Sammy Adjei who kept the post was marvelous as he acquitted himself in the task assigned him. He missed only two balls directed at goal.

But to many spectators, "Captain" Dan Quaye was the "man of the match.." Sammy Adjei, the nation's number two goalie appears ready to take over take over the number one slot.

The skills of Charles Taylor, Charles Allotey, Edmund Copson, Osei Kuffour, among others, shone through the match. The tactical plan of 'Sir' Cecil Jones Attuqayefio and his able assistants which virtually neutralized the opponents needs commendation. Almost all the experienced and dangerous players of Zamalek were completedly played out of the game.

Though Hearts wasted some great goal-scoring-chances, the two goals, were enough to clinch the needed victory. Perhaps the number 11 had something with that win.

The date on which it wasyed was Februray 11, the second goal was scored in the 11th second of the second half. As has been said earlier, this is the time for Hearts and nothing appears strong enough to stop them.

Will they go into the World Clubs Championship with the same spirit and confidence as to continue with a roller-coaster performance and historic championship?