Hearts players to get prize money

MR Harry Zakkour, Chief Executive of Accra Hearts of Oak yesterday said the team's prize money for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League trophy would be ready in two months time.

Speaking to GNA Sports in Accra, Mr Zakkour said it is from this money that the players are expected to receive the 25,000 dollars promised them for winning the cup. He said all other promises by the management to the players have been fulfilled.

"We have given everybody what is due him, players' yearly and winning bonuses have all been settled except the CAF Cup winning bonuses for which we are awaiting the money."

He described the present team as a great team that has lived up to every expectation placed on them and regretted that some of them, especially the key players will be leaving in the near future. Mr Zakkour, however, said the club is recruiting equally good local players to fill the vacuum to be created and assured supporters of the club that the team's performance in the coming league season would be the same or better than last year's.

He stated that if all things go on well as planned, some of the new recruits will be featured in the CAF Super Cup against Zamalek of Egypt on February 11 at the Kumasi Sports Stadium.

"The shift of the match venue from Accra to Kumasi would not affect us, since some of the most passionate supporters of the team are from the Ashanti Region."

Mr Zakour explained that the appointment of Coach Jones Attuquayefio as the national coach will not adversely affect the club's performance since arrangements have been made for him to handle both teams. "Presently, management has not decided to employ a new coach because we believe Jones can handle both tasks efficiently".

He said the team has already started training seriously towards the match against Zamalek and would move camp to Kumasi on February 1.