Hearts engage Motema Pembe of Congo

Accra, March 30, GNA - Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club would on Sunday engage Motema Pembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the third of international friendly matches within three weeks. The match forms part of preparations for the CAF Champion league Campaigners towards their preparations for next week's continental assignment against old foes A.S. Aviacao. A Press release issued by Mr Ashford Tettey Oku, Administrative Manager of the Hearts of Oak copied to the GNA Sports said the international friendly match is therefore to afford the team the opportunity to display their preparedness for next Sundays crucial match. The ex- Africa Champions, Motema Pembe was the last team Hearts eliminated to book a place in their highly successful 2000 CAF Champions League.

Motema Pembe by virtue of winning the knock-out last year are representing DR Congo in this year's Confederations Cup and for which they are embarking on a West Africa tour and it is their expectation to make some impact by repeating the dosage Africa Sports administered to Hearts last week. The Administrative Manager said normal league rates will therefore be charged with tickets for the Popular Stand going for 10,000 cedis, Osu/North Wing - 15,000 cedis, Upper Terrace - 20,000 cedis, Wings - 40,000 cedis and VIP - 50,000 cedis.

Mr Oku said the kick off time is 3.00 pm prompt and appealed to all supporters of the Oak tree to endeavour to turn up in their numbers to cheer the club improve on its performance.

Hearts two weeks ago beat their Togolese counterparts, A.S Douane 2 -1 in an international friendly but followed up a week later with a dismal performance to lose to Africa Sports of Cote D'Ivoire by an incredible score line of 3 - 1 all at the Accra Sports stadium. The latest defeat seemed not go down with the teeming fans of the club and it is believed that they refused to patronise their cup match against Power FC in their numbers last Sunday as a form of protest against the poor performance of the team.

It is, however, the wish of the die- hard supporters of the Phobian's that as the "D" day approaches for the crunch "revenge" match against their old foes A.S. Aviacao next week, the supporters would once again rally behind the team to ensure a convincing victory.