Accra, July 1, GNA - Siegfried Bahner, Accra Hearts of Oaks newly signed on helmsman might naturally be disappointed for losing his first game barely 24hours after his employment but remain buoyant about the team's prospects in the coming weeks.

The German coach saw his side bow by a lone goal to their 'sworn rivals', Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the President' Cup encounter played at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium on Friday to commemorate the Republic Day celebration on his debut with the club. He told the GNA Sports that "it's natural to feel disappointed about the outcome, but I am very happy about the performance of my boys. They gave me a reason to be optimistic about the future".

The former King Faisal coach who was fancying the chances of the Phobians in the premiership said it was obvious that with little correction, the team would emerge as a championship material. "Technically, I observed that the boys are good and ready to play but it was also telling that we need to train much harder to enable us win the league". He underscored the need to master the act of scoring saying "we missed too many chances today and correcting that would feature prominently on my agenda in the next few days".

The coach, also known as Sanzio told the GNA Sports that among his short term programme who be the laying of emphasis of moulding a fitter Hearts, capable to withstanding every team in the league. Asante Kotoko's elated Karim Zito said the future could only be said to be bright with the annexation of their fourth trophy in the season. "We are on course and it's the end that always justify the means". He said the "Porcupine Warriors" urgency and zeal to win each game was the difference in the game, which saw George Yamoah scoring the vital goal in the 83rd minute.

Like the Phobian coach, the stand-in coach of Kotoko is eyeing the league trophy and expressed the conviction that the presence of former national duo, Nii Odartey Lamptey and Mallam Yahaya would work wonders in their quest.