The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has sent a goodwill message to Champion Club, Accra Hearts of Oak ahead of their crucial CAF Champions league final match with Esperance of Tunisia on Sunday. In a statement signed by its president, Joe Aggrey, the SWAG noted with satisfaction the exploits of the Phobians in this year?s campaign and urged them to eschew all traces of complacency to ensure their first continental victory.

?The association has followed your exploits since the 2000 edition of the championship began and notes with satisfaction the high standard of play which catapulted the team to the top of Group ?B which had great African teams like three-times champions, El-Ahly of Egypt, Jeanne d?Arc of Senegal and Lobi Stars of Nigeria, all champions from their various countries competing for the ultimate prize in African Club football,? the statement said.

The SWAG also noted what Hearts? success has done to Ghana soccer in the face of poor run of results and unimpressive performance by teams representing the nation saying their sterling display has contributed a great deal to redeem the image of Ghana football.

?In a year when Ghana sports have woefully failed in the international arena, your club, Accra Hearts of Oak, stand on the threshold of a major repair job. We of the SWAG are happy to note that the job was half done in Tunis, about two weeks ago. What is now left is for the great Accra Hearts of Oak to finsih off the job,? the statement added.

?As you take to the field on Sunday, the players should remember the pain of the average Ghanaian sports fan , following failure after failure of this nation?s contingents to international competitions. The players should spare a thought for the anguish of this nation when the contingent to the Sydney Olympics returned without a wooden spoon after Ghanaians had sacrificed our scarce foreign exchange for the games,? the statement urged. The SWAG further called on Hearts to give Ghanaians the best Christmas gift and their founding fathers a fitting tribute in registering a resounding victory on Sunday.

?We of the SWAG will sing your praises to the high heavens when you complete the job you so expertly started at the El-Menzah Stadium on that Saturday afternoon of December 2,? the statement concluded.