Hearts Through To Next Round

.. They Play Angolan Side in Round II
A resurrected Accra Hearts of Oak side, put up a gallant performance in the last 45 minutes of their second leg CAF Champions League preliminary match against AS Douane of Togo, beating them 3-1 at the Stade Omnisport de Lome.

Hearts, who for the past weeks had recorded some unpleasant results, entered the game with a one nil unconvincing home win in Accra two weeks ago and had elimination staring at them in the first half.

This was after the Togolese drew the first blood in the 6th minute through a corner kick, which Tossou Kodjo David connected to register a goal. After going through some anxious moments in the first half through uncoordinated play upfront and sloppy marking in the defence, the Phobians resumed the second half with a positive spirit and played an improved game.

This yielded results three minutes in the half when Antwi laid the ball on the path of Bortey, whose cross Osei-Kuffour nodded home for the equaliser. The goal gingered them as they piled pressure on the homesters in search of more goals.

Douane in response pushed more men forward to get a goal but the defence of Hearts built around experienced Dan Quaye, sensational new recruit Emmanuel Osei, Dan Oppong and Kwame Antwi remained resolute.

Coach Addo's introduction of Eddy Copson for struggling Adjah Tetteh in the 61st minute changed the pattern of the game as the workaholic midfielder though half fit provide a lot of balls for his men upfront and did a lot of tidying up in midfield.

This paid off in the 73rd minute but Abbey, after beating the defence once again shot wide. Hearts resumed pressure in the 81st minute with the Togolese looking weary as Bortey raced deep into the defence, laid the ball on Abbey's path. He made no mistake by placing it past Keeper Paul Agbavon in goal for the second goal.

Don Bortey who seemed to have rediscovered his speed, picked a ball on the right flank, ran past two defenders before crossing it to Osei-Kuffour, who connected it with much ease to seal the doom of the homesters.

Hearts after the third goal reduced the game to a training session leaving the Togolese to chase their shadows until referee Mve Msong Pierre of Gabon whistled for the end of the match.

The first half of the game was, however, not a pleasant one for Hearts and their vociferous fans who flooded the stands. The large number of Hearts fans in the stands sat on thorns throughout the half as the Phobians found it difficult to gather momentum. Hearts fans came into confrontation with a Togolese photographer during the recess as they pelted him with sachets of water.

Hearts, by the win now qualify on a 4-1 aggregate for the next stage of the competition and are likely to meet opponents from Angola.

Soccer fans in Lome had a bad weekend as Douane became the third Togolese team to bow out a CAF competitions after Maranatha and Dyto Club were given exits in the Cup Winners Cup and CAF Cup competitions respectively on Friday and Saturday at the same venue.

Champions League: Other Results

At Libreville
US Nziami (GAB) 0 Lupopo (DRC) 3 (Matunona 26, Kabongo 49, Mwananu 77)
Lupopo win 3-1 on aggregate
FC Lupopo won 3-0 away after losing 0-1 at home !

At Tripoli
Al-Ittihad (LBA) 0 Hassania Agadir (MAR) 0
Agg: 0-0, Hassania win 5-4 on penalties

At Kigali
Rayon Sport (RWA) 2 (Hamta 3, 47)
Esperance (TUN) 2 (Gasana 27-og, Bene 57)
Esperance win 7-2

At Mumias
Nzoia Sugar (KEN) 1 (Walekwa 66)
Zamalek (EGY, holders) 4 (Wahed 26, 55, Abdellatif 69, Abdi 80)
Zamalek win 7-1