GHANA’S champion club, Accra Hearts of Oak, yesterday crashed out of the CAF Champions League competition when they lost to Stade Malien 3-1 at the Stade Omnisports Modibo Keita in bamako, Mali.
It was yet another painful first-round exit for Hearts in successive years as they bowed out on a 4-2 aggregate, after a 1-1 drawn first leg match in Accra.
Hearts lost the their chance in Accra a fortnight ago and yesterday’s game was definitely destined to be a tall order for the Phobians, who faced a confident and well-drilled side, inspired by the technical expertise of Ghanaian coach Abdul Razak.
The home side confirmed their status as favourites as early as the first minute when they forced goalkeeper James Nanor to punch a goal-bound shot to corner. When they got their confidence and chemistry right, the Phobians appeared no match as they tore the 2000 African champions apart.
Within a 17-minute spell, Stade had booked a place in the next round with a 3-0 lead. They opened the scores in the 26th minute through a powerful 25-metre shot by midfielder Drissa Coulibaly, at a time Hearts appeared to be matching the Malians.
Drissa’s opener only whetted their appetite for more goals. Four minutes later, they increased the tally when they split Hearts defence open.
Full-back Sekou Fofana left Hearts skipper, Jacob Nettey, chasing shadow on the break and lobbed the ball into the penalty box, beyond the reach of outstretched Nanor and Lassine Berthe (who scored in Accra), dealt Hearts another blow by heading home the second goal.
The Phobians were thrown into disarray as the Malians turned on their after burner for a good recovery in defence and swift attack. The crossbar prevented Baba Cisse from registering his name on the scoring sheet. However, by the 43rd minute it was all over for Stade when they registered their third goal, which dimmed Hearts’ hopes of climbing a high mountain. It was almost a re-enactment of the second goal as the Hearts defence was caught pants down after a swift attack from the right flank.
Substitute Oumar Kamate, who replaced Berthe four minutes earlier, finished off an outswinger with a right-footed shot inside the Hearts penalty box. Malians went wild in ecstasy, their egos tickled by the goal feast.
Hearts played a much-improved game in the second half as coach Herbert Addo beefed up the attack with Emmanuel Donkor and Laryea Kingston, to liberate Charles Taylor to operate in a free role.
As elimination started staring Hearts in the face, they became more serious and explored scoring opportunities from many angles.
With just 10 minutes remaining, Taylor redeemed the deficit with a beautiful goal when he dribbled three defenders after receiving a through pass from Donkor, before firing home from close range. It was too little too late as their efforts yielded no fruits again.
When Gambian referee Malick Sillah brought proceedings to a close, the floodlit stadium erupted with ecstacy reminiscent of Mali’s Nations Cup victories.
Abdul Razak became an instant hero, while Herbert Addo lamented lack of tactical discipline by his charges, and a difficult task ahead.
Hearts: Nanor, Mireku, Nettey, D. Quaye, Richard Nii Noi/Steve Tetteh, Adjah Tetteh, Charles Allotey/Laryea Kingston, Joe Ansah, Dong-Bortey, Awuley Quaye/Donkor, Charles Taylor.
