Gbese Mantse Homowo Charity Cup: Coach Ouattara confident as Hearts face Lions Sunday
As anticipation builds for the inaugural Gbese Mantse Homowo Peace Charity match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kpando Heart of Lions Cup on Sunday, Hearts’ Head Coach, Aboubakar Ouattara, has expressed his unwavering confidence in his team's ability to triumph over their opponents.
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Coach Ouattara has called on fans to pack the stands at the Accra Sports Stadium and throw their weight behind the Phobians as they aim to win the coveted trophy.
At a press conference held at the Gbese Mantse’s Palace, he praised the Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayibonte II, for the initiative, emphasising the importance of peace ahead of the 2024 elections.
“I come from Cote d’Ivoire and my country experienced war and I can say that war is not a good thing. I am happy that we are playing in the first edition of this Gbese Mantse Cup. The future of Hearts of Oak depends on unity so I am very happy to play in this cup,” he said.
Hearts confident
Reflecting on their recent encounters with Lions, the Hearts gaffer said the Kpando club gave his side tough opposition in the Premier League last season, but he was confident the Phobians would prevail on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Lions' Head Coach, Bashir Hayford, has expressed his unwavering confidence in his team's ability to triumph over their opponents.
He emphasised that the stature of Hearts naturally motivated his players to perform at their best. Lions’ striker, Christian Boateng, reinforced this sentiment, confidently predicting a 2-0 victory and calling on the club’s supporters to come out in full force to witness the team roar to victory.
However, Hearts’ newly recruited goalkeeper, Benjamin Asare, assured fans of their impending triumph.
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“Football is unity and I call on all stakeholders to come together to make it a success. I promise that Hearts of Oak will be victorious in this match,” he declared.
The Gbese Mantse, Nii Ayi-Bonte II, extended an invitation to former board and management members of Hearts to join him at the stadium, emphasising the match's role in fostering peace and unity in the Greater Accra Region during the forthcoming elections.
He emphasised the event’s dual purpose of celebrating the Homowo festival and fostering harmony.
He urged former board and management members of Accra Hearts of Oak to join him at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday to witness the euphoria at the maiden Gbese Mantse Homowo Peace Charity Cup.
“The match is just a charity cup so I will plead with all Hearts fans to come to the stadium in their numbers. I will be there myself and I call on all former board and management members to come and support Hearts of Oak. The club needs all of us.”
“We want peace in the Greater Accra Region, especially during the 2024 elections. Whether you are NDC or NPP, we want to live in peace during the and after the elections. So on the 11th of August, we shall play the Gbese Mantse Cup to usher in the festival and to ensure peace in the region,” he said.
He thanked the leadership of the Ghana Football Association, especially the President, Mr Kurt Simeon-Okraku and Executive Committee member, Dr Randy Abbey for their immense contributions towards the success of the match.