The win over North African soccer power, Tunisia's Esperance was reason enough for Ghanaians in Nigeria and Nigerians alike to celebration the meritorous accomplishment of Hearts which defeated the Tunisian side in Tunisia by a margin of 2-1 even with ten men as a defender was sent off in the 65th minute for retaliating an elbow. Crowds gathered in the sports city where they watched the game live on big screen TV and after the Mauritian referee, Kim Lee Chong, concluded matters, the Nigerians and the Ghanaians who numbers about five thousands started dancing on the streets of Lagos in solidarity claiming that the African Championship League is coming to West Africa at the expense of the Tunisians.

A Ghanaian fan, draped in his national flag, John Boateng, told this reporter "we are very happy today, this has never happened to Hearts. We will finish them off in Accra." Asked if he thought the euphoria would propel the Black Stars to beat the Eagles in March, he smartly stated, "no comments, I am in Nigeria and I do not want to offend the sensibilities of my gracious host." To which the crowd chanted "Eagles will win, Eagles will win." A Nigerian in the crowd noted to this reporter "we are happy for our Ghanaian brothers for this achievement. Its huge. If we can't do it let our fellow West Africans do it. We are with them.

The celebrations continued through the night and ended at the home of the president of the Ghanaian community who addressed the jubilate crowd and asked them to support Hearts on the return leg on December 17.