Hearts chief feels the pressure

Hearts of Oak chief executive Harry Zakkour has admitted he will be forced to resign if arch-rivals Ashanti Kotoko snatch the league title.

Kotoko continue to fire on all cylinders in their bid to win the championship back from Hearts and end eight years without honours. As the pressure mounts on The Oaks management, after they meekly surrendered the African Champions League they won last year, Zakkour has vowed to quit if the team loses the domestic title as well.

He said: "Despite our setback in Kumasi, I still believe that we will retain the title. But in the event we don't, I would at all costs resign and give others a chance to lead this club."

Hearts won the treble of African Champions Cup, league and FA Cup last season but seem to be struggling in the current campaign as rivals Kotoko and also Obuasi Goldfields mount serious challenges.

Kotoko beat Hearts on Sunday and reduced the gap at the top of the table to just a point. Kotoko vice-president Kennedy Agyepong told the Daily Graphic: "This is our year. We are determined to win the title to compensate our fans for previous failures.

"All we want is our supporters to continue to rally behind us."