RCC Chairman calls for support for Hearts and Kotoko

Kumasi, July 10, GNA - Ghanaian football fans have been asked to put aside their differences and rally behind Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko as they embark on their CAF/MTN Champions League campaigns to bring honour to the country.

"We should put aside our club affiliations and differences and root solidly behind both two teams just as we supported the Black Stars in their participation at the just-ended FIFA World Cup championship in Germany", Mr Joe Saliu, Chairman of the Ashanti Regional Chapters Committee (RCC) of Hearts, said.

Mr Saliu said this at a mammoth rally organized by the RCC for supporters of Hearts in Kumasi at the weekend.

The rally which coincided with a fund-raising ceremony, formed part of efforts by the RCC to sensitise supporters of the Club to be committed to the financial development of the Club as well as this year's Champions League campaign.

Hearts of Oak are in Group 'A' of the League alongside Asec Mimosas of Cote d'Ivoire, Enyimba FC - Nigeria and Orlando Pirates 96 South Africa whiles Kumasi Asante Kotoko are in Group 'B' alongside Al Ahly of Egypt, CS Sfaxien and JSK of Algeria.

Mr Saliu was not happy that since 2000 after the Club won its maiden Champions League trophy, Hearts had found it difficult to live up to expectation in subsequent competitions, saying, "supporters of Hearts of Oak should brainstorm in order to change the trend". The RCC Chairman said in view of the difficult tasks that lie ahead of Hearts in the Champions League, supporters should close their ranks, eschew divisive tendencies and remain resolute towards the Club's bid to annex its second trophy this year.

He also admonished the management of Hearts to explore other avenues of generating enough funds for the Club and desist from relying solely on gate proceeds to run affairs of the Club. Hearts of Oak will play Enyimba of Nigeria in their opening match of the competition on July 16 at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium.