As Real Bamako beatable – Hearts of Oak’s interim coach David Ocloo

Interim Coach for Accra Hearts of Oak, David Ocloo, is confident of his side’s chances of qualifying to the next stage of the CAF Confederations Cup on Sunday.

The Phobians face a mammoth task of beating AS Real Bamako by four unanswered goals in the second leg to stand any chance of progressing to the next stage of the competition.

Hearts of Oak thrashed lower tier side GAP Soccer Academy by 6 goals to nil at the Pobiman training complex yesterday as part of the team’s preparations ahead of the crucial encounter at 3pm.

Isaac Mensah with a brace, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Gideon Asante, Skipper Fatawu Mohammed and Samuel Inkoom were all on target for the 2020/21 Premier league Champions.

When asked about his team overturning the 3-0 deficit against the Malian Cup winners, David Ocloo remained buoyant ahead of the second leg.

“We are well prepared, I can say about 80 percent, the rest of the 20 will be determined by Friday, and I am very confident of our readiness. The friendly game against Gap Soccer Academy is a morale booster ahead of the all-important tie.

“On Sunday, we should be playing more attacking football, we will go out there and try and win the game against our Malian opponents at the Accra Sports Stadium.”

The Phobians are yet to lose at home in the CAF Inter Club Competitions, three games in that period have all ended in a victory for the Rainbow club.

Hearts of Oak beat CI Kamsar and two North African opponents, that’s eventual winners of the 2021/22 Champions league winners Wydad Casablanca and Algerian side JS Saoura.

The Former Liberty gaffer further called on fans of the Club to rally their support behind the team in their quest to qualify for the next stage of the competition.

“Playing at home, I think we have to be more direct. They scored us 3-0 back in Bamako, we can repeat same scoreline at home. Bamako are a good side, but are beatable as well. Our fans should rally behind us on Sunday, and I am confident our opponent will struggle to contain us on home soil,” he stated.

“Our performance against GAP Soccer Academy in the friendly match is real testament of what is to happen at the Accra Sports Stadium against AS Real Bamako. I am very confident we will qualify, scoring four goals against the Malian Cup winners is feasible at the Accra Sports Stadium,” he added.

The last time a Ghanaian Club qualified to the group stages of the CAF Inter Club Competitions was back in 2012 with Berekum Chelsea holding that record.

Accra Hearts of Oak will be hoping to break the jinx under David Ocloo when the game kicks off at 3pm at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.