Review: Shaky start for Hearts/Kotoko

Accra, July 17, GNA 96 Ghana's representatives in the 2006 Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Champions League, Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko got off to shaky start when both sides lost their first games in the competition.

Hearts were shocked with a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Nigerian champions Enyimba International, while Kotoko fell by a lone goal to JS Kabylie of Algeria.

The defeats have dented the chances of the two clubs to advance to the semi finals of the competition and possibly repeat their feat in the 2004 Confederation Cup which saw the two sides meet in the finals of the competition.

Having assembled the best of materials on the local scene, coupled with their impressive pre-season outings, many were those who believed, Hearts will triumph over the two time winners of the competition but at the end it was a package of misfortunes.

The Phobians crumbled under the Nigerians might through loss of concentration and the zeal to go for the ultimate and these manifested in the two goals they conceded.

Hearts stood watching as the Nigerians slotted in the first goal and gifted them with the second goal when Kwabena Boafo's attempt to clear a ball saw him rather directing it into his net.

Enquiries conducted by the GNA Sports reveals that one of the major reasons for the defeat was the usage of half fit players for the game with Bernard Don Bortey being the most obvious chap. The player, weeks before the game, was battling with a knee injury and only recovered a few days before the match.

The striker could not perform and had to pave the way for Francis Boosman before the close of the first half.

Skipper Amankwah Mireku is also reported to be suffering from some discomforts, hence could not give out his best on the day. The technical and the management team however, believe all is not lost as they get back to the drawing board to re-strategise for the task ahead.

The Phobians will need more than what they exhibited in the game against the Nigerians if they are to survive the slippery Ivorians in their second game against ASEC Mimosa.

Kotoko's defeat could be attributed to the presentation of an under strength team they presented against the Algerians.

They lost the likes of Shilla Alhassan, Aziz Ansah and Yusif Chibsah through various reasons whilst the arrival of the team in batches also affected their game plan.

Due to the disjointed departures, Douglass Nkrumah and Kwame Obeng Darko arrived for the match some few hours before kick off and therefore did not enjoy enough rest to make the desired impact in the game. In the face of the difficulties, the Reds played their hearts out and sold out an impressive outing to the North Africans only to lose by a lone goal through a penalty in the early parts of the game. For Hearts coach Francis Oti Akenten, it was a bad day for the team because of the numerous scoring chances that came their way but were wasted.

Oti-Akenten, who is being highly criticised for the defeat believes the needed corrections will be effected in preparations for the next game.

Under-fire Oti-Akenten is of the view that his charges would put the defeat behind them as they go into the second battle against the Ivorians on July 30.

Kotoko's Coach 'Hene', Emmanuel Kwesi Afranie, however seemed satisfied with the performance of his side despite the lone goal defeat.

"Though we missed the services of some key players, I believe the team gave off their best and we could have snatched at least a point".

"We will be the side to watch in the coming days, if we are able to improve upon our performance in the subsequent games', he said. From all indications, the results could have been different if Kotoko had assembled the full compliment of its team.

The battle however is definitely not over because both sides have five more matches to play and with the needed preparations they stand the chance of making their semi and final dreams a reality.