After eliminating AS Police, Hearts declare...

Accra Hearts of Oak’s coach Herbert Addo, fresh from masterminding the club’s qualification for the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, is upbeat that his side will be ready to handle the task against Senegal's Olympicque de Ngor, their next opponents in the contintntal campaign in two weeks’ time. 

Hearts, against all odds, drew goalless with AS Police in their second leg encounter in Cotonou last Saturday to advance on a 1-0 goal aggregate, having earned a lone goal victory in the first leg in Accra a fortnight ago.

Hearts endured persistent harrassment in their goal area from Police who were desperate to make the most of their home advantage, but the bravery of goalkeeper Abdoulaye Soulama helped the former African champions to hold on to their slim lead to the end.

Soulama made several saves, including a penalty to deny Police any chance of levelling up and possibly sending the game into penalty kicks to determine the winners.

 With qualification secured from the preliminary round, Coach Addo considers it not just a relief but also an opportunity for the team to build upon their potential.

He said the team would intensify their preparation between now and March 15 when they play away to the Senegalese side, in a bid to maintain their progression in the competition.

"Despite the match ending in a goalless draw, the result and qualification means a lot to both players and management. It means we are making steady progress in our road to recovery after a string of disappointing performances.

"It was not an easy encounter and I must commend the players for holding their nerves and putting up the brave display in Cotonou. We are not there yet, but the result we had in Cotonou gives us hope for improvement. We are determined to build on whatever little gains we have made in our performance, Coach Addo told the Graphic Sports.

"We don't know much about Olympique de Ngor, but we will step up our preparations and ensure that we continue with our winning ways. The focus will be on our weak points and smoothening our rough edges. We have less than two weeks to get it right and hopefully, we will be ready for the Senegalese challenge." 

Hearts, who won the inaugural Confed Cup in 2004 beating, country rivals, Asante Kotoko on penalties, will travel to Senegal for the first leg on the weekend of March 13-15 and host the return leg on April 3-5.