Middendorp to strike kits deal for Hearts

Ernst Middendorp, head coach of Accra Hearts of Oak has confirmed that he is working on a kits sponsorship deal for the club for the coming football season.

Speaking to the GNA Sports in Mali, the coach said he is doing this in connection with SOS Networxs, a Sports Management Company owned by Mr Herbert Mensah.

He said, securing a kits deal in Germany is a difficult task but with much support from the company, he is confident of clinching the deal for the club.

The coach however did not disclose the name of the company, saying there are a lot of German coaches in Ghana working for other clubs and the competition is keen.

"Due to this i will like to keep the name to myself until all is through" Coach Middendorp stated. According to the coach, the qualification of the team to the second round of the CAF Champions League will be an added advantage, since the sponsors can be

assured of more international exposure. Coach Middendorp said he is doing everything possible within his means to get the deal through for the club but added, "I am not going give any firm promise but i hope i can clinch a deal for the club".

The German said though it is not his responsibility to make such a move for the club, he will be willing to put his knowledge and connections at the disposal of the team when the need arises.

"I want to be successful with Hearts and i must go all out to ensure that I achieve the desired success", coach Middendorp stated.

The coach, however, complained on the lack of a better training grounds for the club saying it has been one of his worries when he arrived in the country.

He said for the team to be successful, they need to train on a better pitch to ensure that every practice and technique of the game is carried out smoothly.

Coach Middendorp was not happy with the situation where they have to battle for the use of the training grounds with other teams at their present training grounds situated at the University of Ghana.

He said most of the time they spend a lot of time waiting for others before they can use the pitch, adding that, the time of waiting could have been used for other productive exercises.

He said he is making tentative arrangements with the management to scout for better training grounds, which can be developed for use by the club at any point in time.

On his stay with the club , the coach said he is enjoying some corporation from his technical men and the management but added that a lot more needs to be done for them to move forward.

Coach Middendorp is credited with playing an instrumental role in securing a kit deal for Asante Kotoko in his days with the Kumasi club.