Soccer News of Monday, 24 February 2003

Source: gna

Jones in trouble with Hearts fans

A large army of fans of Accra Hearts booed at Sir Cecil Attuquayefio head coach of Liberty Professionals after their side had handed a 2-0 defeat to them in the opening match of the much publicized LG Top Four Tourney at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The fans who looked furious touted insinuations on their former coach accusing him of arrogance while others even attempted to attack him. But for the vigilance of security men on duty and some good Samaritan Phobian fans present, the situation would have been bad for him.

Though reasons behind the unfavourable reaction of the fans against their former head-coach are unknown, indications are that it could be because the coach led Liberty to beat Hearts twice last year when he had switched camp to Liberty.

Speaking to the GNA Sports Coach Attuquayefio said " I don't know why I have become an enemy to fans of Hearts all of a sudden, after all I have served them well during my tenure of office".

He however said he was not the least perturbed about the reaction of the fans.

The coach said he was not ready to comment on Sunday's game but instead broke the news that the Phobian Club owed him 50 million cedis.

The furious looking coach said the amount came from unpaid salaries, allowances and bonus while he was with the club.

When GNA Sports asked him whether the timing of his claims was right, he answered in the affirmative adding that "I have written to the club on two occasions but they failed to either reply or contacted me to that effect. I think the timing could not have been better than now"."

He said the reaction of the fans had not spiked his emotion to disclose whatever differences he had with his former employers.

The coach dared the Phobians to come out to either deny or affirm his claims.

On the other hand Coach Herbert Addo of Accra Hearts of oak has condemned the attitude of the fans towards coach Attuquayefio.

According to Coach Addo the renowned coach does not deserve such treatment meted out to him and called on all to condemned it.

He said football is a game and everyone must see it as such adding that he does not go into any game with anybody in mind but only to win.

Coach Addo called on fans to exercise restrain in all their endeavours. Commenting on the match, Coach Addo said "this tourney is a stepping stone towards African Cup club Championship and it is a good start for us"

"I am building a team for Africa and if the calibre of players at hand have been able to put up such a performance then we are on course" Coach Addo told the GNA Sports.

He expressed satisfaction with the level of performance displayed by the players because they played to his satisfaction.

Touching on the absence of Charles Taylor, one of the key players of the club currently undertaking trials in Switzerland, Coach Addo said the players' absence did not affect his game plan.

He said the player might feature in their next match if he returns from Switzerland fully fit and can play to their style.

Coach Addo expressed optimism about their next match against Olympics in Accra adding that they are going to work on their mistakes.