Hearts of Oak’s ‘64 Battalions’ could have beaten Real Madrid or Man United - Harry Zakkour

Former Hearts of Oak Chairman Harry Zakkour says his CAF Champions League-winning team in 2000 could have beaten either Real Madrid or Manchester United if they had played in the FIFA Club World Cup tournament in 2001.

The Phobians won their first-ever CAF Champions League in 2000 under coach Jones Cecil Attoquayefio after beating Esperance 3-1 on aggregate to win the continental showpiece.

The victory meant Hearts of Oak were to play at FIFA Club World Cup. But In 2001, Harry Zakkour's Hearts of Oak missed out on playing in the second edition of the FIFA Club World Cup in Spain following the collapse of FIFA’s marketing partner IS.

“Recounting the memories in an interview on Joy FM, he said,” I took Hearts of Oak to number 8 on the CCN chart and we could have beaten Real Madrid or Manchester United had we played in the tournament.”

He also bemoaned the current state of the club and also advised them to form a management team like they did in the early 2000s.

“I don’t see why Hearts of Oak is not doing well today. My friend Togbe (Afede) should get good people to run the club and there should be a management team aside from the Board and the Board should get closer to the team,” he added.

Hearts have struggled to reca[ture their old form, with the last league title coming over a decade ago.