At the Stade de Tunis tomorrow night continental club masters Hearts of Oak would come up against their toughest test yet in this year’s confederations cup as they go up against Tunisia’s Esperance.
Hearts have somewhat miraculously made their way through the stages to this point, surmounting one improbable obstacle after another. Tomorrow, they face the mother of all improbable tasks.
Because Esperance aren’t your average African club side. They’ve made getting to the latter stages of the Champions League something of a specialty, having won it in 2011; and with their elimination from this year’s competition they’ll be aiming to go all the way in the Confederations Cup.
To do that they’ll have to go through a super motivated Hearts side. Aside their impressive form in this year’s competition, the team would be playing to honour the passing of Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio. Sir Jones passed away unfortunately this week, and as the coach who led Hearts to both of their continental triumphs the team would hope to give him one last hurrah.
To that end, the return of captain Gnagne would bolster the side. His absence in the last game through suspension saw Hearts lose their first tie in this year’s competition.
The Tunisians have a very talented, multinational side to call on, including Ghana’s very own Harrison Afful. The former Kotoko full back would have a few secrets to whisper to his coach, having clashed so often with Hearts during his time with the Porcupine Warriors.
Herbert Addo and his charges would know a win is not entirely necessary, but picking the right result for the return leg in Accra. Hopefully they’ll approach the game with the right circumspection, especially in North Africa where the refereeing shenanigans can be a bit much sometimes.
In honour of Sir Cecil, Hearts would wear black armbands during the game.