Accra, May 15, GNA - Coach Francis Oti Akenteng of Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club is optimistic his side would come good when the round robin stage of the Champions League competition commences on July 14. The game may be two months away but the coach insists Hearts would throw everything into their preparations to ensure they enjoy a great run in the competition that pits them against Nigeria's Enyimba FC, Asec Mimosa of Cote D' Ivoire and Orlando Pirates of South Africa. The Phobians host Enyimba in the opener at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium in the competition.

He told the GNA Sports that "our focus is to win the trophy and we will travel every length to ensure we achieve that purpose". Even though the coach reckons all the three teams would come tough, he underscored the wonders good preparation, hard work and determination would do to the quest of the Phobians.

"I consider our group to be the toughest, especially because we have two West African countries that play similar pattern of football like ours.

"But we are already resolved to counter every opposition any of them will present and will not look back".

The West African neighbours - Enyimba and Asec are all previous champions of the competition, which would have the first two of each group advancing to the semi final stage to determine the finalists. Hearts on Sunday piped Kumasi Asante Kotoko to the Ghana League Clubs Association's (GHALCA) annual Top Four competition to become the only Club to have won the tourney twice - a feat the former King Faisal coach is buoyed would inspire the "Rainbow Bys" to shine at the continental stage.

"We've shown a lot of character in the Top Four and we intend to carry on the same wave length in the Champions League". The coach would be hoping to fill the four remaining slots at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) player registration form with two strikers, a midfielder and a defender in the next few days. Though keeping the names of the players close to his chest, the GNA Sports has gathered that the race for places in the attacking machinery is between talismatic Eric Gawu, Ishmael Addo, Bawa Mohammed and Issah Mohammed.

New recruit, Hamza Mohammed seems the sure candidate for the middle with Daniel Coleman as the one to fill the defensive slot. Coach Akenteng is convinced the new additions would do the team a great deal of good.

" Every player who gets the nod to be part of the last four will have a crucial role to play in all of our subsequent games", he added. 15 May 06