Even before the first leg encounter between Hearts and Etoile du Congo, in Kumasi, the writing was clear on the wall that the burning desire for Hearts to pitch itself against the best in Africa was waning after their historic snatching of both African Club Championship and the Super Cup.

In their place, complacency, arrogance and false sense of security have enveloped the Phobians, and taken the better part of the players.

Their encounter against Etoile du Congo was therefore a test to know whether Hearts of Oak were right and ready to defend the trophy, or come out early in the competition.

As it is, they came out the vanquished, having been walloped 5-1 in their away encounter, making it 6-4 on aggregate.

Of course Esperance of Tunisia and Mamelodi Sundown's of South-Africa, both serious contenders for the African Champions League title this year made mediocre starts in their first round first leg matches, at home. But they fought doggedly over Jeunnesse Tennere of Niger and Costa Do Sol of Mozambique.

Clearly the difficulty with which Esperance and Sundown's sailed through and the defeat of Hearts, showed that there are no more minnows in the competition.

Going deep down, the results also indicate that African countries see matches of his nature, as very important. And any thing must be done to record victory and boost the image of the ruling party.

Of course, the type of reception meted out to Ghanaian clubs and the various national teams in away matches presuppose that our governments and the football controlling body are weak.

And the earlier they sat up and protested against the treatment meted out to our sporting ambassadors the better.

Providing some haven for our African brother sand sisters and receiving the opposite should open our eyes to the hpocnsy in African Unity. We should learn to sing the same song, or forever keep quiet and endure our sufferings.