We Are On Course - Zakkour

Accra Hearts of Oak's Interim Management Committee (IMC) Chairman, Harry Zakkour has stated that his club will begin the second round with a bang, having ended the first on a good note.

With coach Eyal Lechman from Israel now in the saddle, Hearts fans indeed expect great improvements in the fortunes of the club in the second round, he said.

Speaking to DAILY GUIDE SPORTS, Zakkour pointed out that Hearts started the 2007/08 league season poorly but at the end of the first round the club secured an important victory against Wa All Stars which brought some hope to management and supporters.

“We are optimistic that as the new window (of registration) is open, things may change because of the recruitment of seven quality players,” he revealed.

According to Zakkour, the newly contracted coach must be congratulated for his impressive showing which has lifted the team from the bottom. “We can't categorically say we are defending this year's Onetouch Premier League successfully because Asante Kotoko are in a good position to emerge champions,” he noted.

He disclosed that Ishmael Addo was not part of the club's recruitment plans due to his unstable attitude towards management, adding that Hearts have not also spoken to Lamine Nazer as was being speculated.

“Hearts would not want any player who will come to the club only to give us problems with unnecessary demands,” he said.

Harry Zakkour, popularly known as Champion Chairman due to the 2000 Africa Cup Champions' League trophy Hearts won under his management, revealed that coach Lachman was on a three-year contract with Accra Hearts of Oak, and their doors were open if any team would like to buy him out of that contract before the term expires.

By Pierre Toto