Nobody is giving A.S. Douane of Togo any chance of surviving the fireworks expected to be produced by Accra Hearts of Oak.

While the Phobians possess the cream of Ghana's footballers and can draw upon experienced veterans, A.S. Douane are only entering the competition for the first time, coached by Ghanaian Walter Yankah of Olympics and Ghapoha fame.

Coach Yankah, popularly known as CONSIDER and GET AWAY, attended Christian Methodist and O'reilly secondary schools. He was a footballer of considerable class, rising up to the welfare officer of the Black Stars during the reign of GFA Chairman E.O. Teye. Yankah also worked at different times as team manager coach and administrative officer for Ghapoha and Accra Great Olympics.

"This is our biggest challenge in the competition. However, we are not going to be pushovers for Hearts of Oak. They have a good team but we are not scared. We spied on them and they also spied on us. I believe our boys will live up to expectation," Walter Yankah said in an interview in Lome Togo. The choices made by the veteran Ghanaian coach have proved to be good ones, as the players he has bought from Ghana have increased the club's preparedness. Unlike the former players of the club, the present ones are gradually establishing themselves.

In addition, the bulk of the squad has grown in class and confidence, and Nomo Komlan and Enninful Komla will certainly give the defence some stability and resistance. Others to watch include Ibrahim Aguro, Kokouvi, Husseini Gbadamossi, Salifu Iddi, Kodjo, Ali Azziz, Lokko Wallace, Issifu Mumuni, Courage Dogbe, Albert The, Agbandja and Agbelebi Abdala. But the player who will command the most attention from Hearts defenders will be Saidou Badarou.

Badarou has found his scoring form again, and he is an integral part of both A.S. Douane and of the national team, Aiglolns. Also, Paul Agbavon is likely to be in goal for A.S. Douane.

In Ghana, football clubs regard A.S. Douane as a pushover, with the only question being: How many goals will we beat them by? However, the Togolese still have a reason to be upbeat about their chances in this encounter. Coach Walter Yankah has visited "bases" in Tema, Accra, Koforidua and Kumasi, and after the match, Hearts supporters may well visit their anger on their management. This is no easy match for Accra.

The outcome may be worse than the 2-0 loss to Kotoko in the first round LG-Top 4 match in Kumasi.

Talent, planning, financial resources, technical know-how, plus WAYS AND MEANS will play a key role in the outcome of this match. And how well Coach Walter Yankah has been able to re-invigorate the team will be seen when A.S. Douane opens their account against Hearts at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.