Former Hearts of Oak captain Amankwa Mireku recalls the diligent preparations of the team that beat Esperance over two legs to clinch the 2000 CAF Champions League.

The Phobians must repeat this feat against the Tunisian giants in order to progress to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Amankwa Mireku led the golden generation of Hearts players that conquered all including the continent in the year 2000.

The former defender revealed the side then coached by legendary Jones Attuquayefio had to watch several matches of their opponent in order to map out a strategy to beat them.

“We had spent two weeks watching every match of Esperance and practicing how to deal with their early sustained threat,” he said.

“How to contain their threats from the flanks, and not to concede an early goal. It was our only way of survival and also ensured we carried on with hope of coming away with a win.

“Once we played according to the strategy, we survived and won in a very special manner. It excited us. It strengthened our belief in ourselves and our campaign.”