Liberty's coach devastated

Accra, May 23, GNA-"My boys have given me a reason to worry and a complete picture as to what my team really is.

"I have every reason to be concerned when the boys have let me down with such a lousy performance. It will mean a lot of hard work to keep the team focused and in shape for the game in Tunis. "Yes, we lost to a better side which took their chances, but that must not be an excuse, we could have done better."

Those were the words of a devastated Liberty's Silas Tetteh who saw his side fumble massively against Accra Hearts of Oak in their first game of this year's novelty league tie played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Coach Tetteh who was glued to his seat in disbelief after the match shared his disappointment with the GNA Sport when he complained bitterly about the output of his first set currently gearing up for their second leg tie of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederation Cup against Stade du Tunisien in Tunis at the weekend. The coach said though his side lost to a better side, he was emphatic that his boys were a let down for losing concentration and refusing to convert their chances during the game.

He was particularly concerned about the output of his defence, which was built around skipper Mustapha Essuman, Issifu Ansah and among others.

Silas said, "My defence was very porous though the midfielders and the attackers were no better. I will need to make some changes if we are to travel far in Africa."

The disappointed coach who was obviously uncertain about the chances of his team in Tunis said, "we have been exposed and lessons have been learnt which must be corrected in the next few day".

In spite of their victory, Hearts coach Ernst Middendorp said, "a lot of work needs to be done at the defence which made needless mistakes during the game."

Though the coach agreed that the score-line had brought a feeling of relief, he claimed the team could have done better with precision. "The boys failed to take some important chances and that gives me a reason to work hard before our game in Sousse, Tunisia."

Middendorp believed the game exposed his team's weaknesses; a problem he said would be addressed in the next few days.

Both Hearts and Liberty are expected to depart Ghana on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively ahead of their games.

The duo walk into crucial ties with slim one goal margins each, as Liberty could only settle for a 3-2 win against their Tunisian opponents while Hearts beat Etoile Du Sahel I-0.