Hearts Win Hearts And Minds In Accra

Despite trouble in the stadium, there are no broken hearts in Ghana this Sunday and the mood in the Accra is euphoric as fans of Hearts of Oak celebrate triumph over Esperance of Tunisia and the lifting the prestigious CAF (Confederation of African Football) Champions League Trophy. Rowdy parties are set to continue late into the night and beyond.

The main stadium in Accra erupted with roars of elation at the final whistle. Thousands of ecstatic Hearts supporters, men, women and children, leapt into the air in a colourful blur of the club's bold red, yellow and blue, painted on faces and bodies and displayed in an array of extravagant headties on both sexes, who screamed and cheered delight as they headed for the exits.

All vehicles around the stadium were immediately adorned in Hearts of Oak flags as cars, buses and taxis careered through Accra hooting their horns and taking over the streets of the city. Fans flew their hand-held flags in joyous and boisterous celebration.

Accra has been preparing for victory for days, with banners bearing the Hearts colours flying from telegraph poles, street lights and trees, as well as buildings. The last time a Ghanaian team won the trophy was 17 years ago.

The final score was 3-1 in a game that, at one point, threatened to take a dramatic turn as riot police lobbed teargas canisters. The Tunisian goalkeeper had to be stretchered off the pitch and it was feared that he might have lost consciousness. It was later reported that he was taken for treatment.

Ghana's Hearts of Oak were favourites to win the clash with Esperance in a game that many considered the toughest in the club s 89-year history and ended in triumph for the hosts.

Hearts went to the final of the Champions League Trophy 21 years ago and lost in a penalty shoot out to Cameroon s Union Douala. Two years earlier in 1977, they lost the crown to Hafia of Guinea. Success on Sunday was therefore third time lucky.

'Phobia' was the word on the lips of the thousands who turned up at the seaside sports stadium in Accra to witness the latest chapter in Ghanaian soccer history. Hearts fans say any team facing theirs is struck by paralysis and (hearts ) phobia.

Hearts of Oak have been on a winning streak this season, winning the Ghanaian Premier League, as well carrying off the Knock Out League championship. Hearts have not lost a game in this year s CAF Champions League.

Their away victory in Tunis two weeks ago, in the first leg, heightened anticipation and excitement among Ghanaians back home for the Sunday final between Hearts and Esperance.

Triumph in Accra means Hearts of Oak have earned themselves prize money amounting to $500,000 from CAF.

Champions League top scorer, Emmanuel Kuffour, did not disappoint his fans. He scored the first and second goals for Hearts in the 83rd and 89th minutes. The Tunisian Hassan Gabsi booted in the first goal of the match in the 18th. Hearts' third goal came from the striker Ishmael Addo in the 90th minute.

Hearts' coach is the popular former Black Star midfielder, Jones Attuquayefio,and has just become coach of the Ghana national squad.