Accra Hearts of Oak’s fairytale continental campaign makes a difficult turn on a Malian terrain against old foes Djoliba Athletic this evening in the first leg last preliminary stage of this year’s CAF Confederation Cup at the Stade de Modibo Keita.
The Phobians have so far confounded the pundits including themselves with the steady progress in a competition they entered by mere accident, following the decision by Inter Allies not to go to Africa due to financial reasons.
Indeed, the Phobians’ stunning away feat against Olympique de Ngor of Senegal in which they won 3-2 appeared to have rejuvenated their continental conquering spirit of old and for once in many years the Ghanaians are dreaming of an Africa triumph.
But the challenge from Djoliba, a side that crossed the path of the Phobians twice in their chequered continental history(1980 and 1998) appear daunting, particularly when only two years ago they reached the final of the CAF Confederation Cup only to lose to the Leopards of Congo.
Already the Phobians, who stormed the Malian capital last Wednesday, are feeling the sultry heat of the Malian conditions, but they are glad that the game has been shifted to 5pm local time, a time that temperatures might have abated for the battle.
Indeed, what has been the strong point of the Phobian campaign is the blend of experience and youth embodied in goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye, Burkina Faso’ top goalkeeper, Vincent Atinga, who was part of Ebusua Dwarfs’ Africa campaign last year, Robin Gnagne, Eric Kumi, once a leading striker of the national U-20 side, Gilbert Fiamenyo, Owusu Bempah and Foovi Aguidi.
This together with the history of Hearts who have never fallen to Djoliba in any competitive battle may inspire the Phobians.
