Confederation Cup Preview: Hearts of Oak hope to repeat dose against Esperance in Tunis

Hearts of Oak

Hearts of Oak travel to Tunis to play Esperance in the CAF Confederation Cup playoff first leg tie in a repeat of the 2000 Champions League final.

The Phobians won the match 2-1 with ten man and went on to win 3-1 at home to lift the trophy 5-2 on aggregate.

But the coach who guided them to success Cecil Jones Attuquayfio died on Tuesday in Accra after battling throat cancer.

Hearts will be relying on their impressive away record in the competition after avoiding defeat against Olympique de Ngor (Senegal) and AC Djoliba (Mali) in the previous qualifying rounds.

Captain Robin Gnagne, who was suspended for their last match against Djoliba at home, makes a return to the team.

But Esperance will be missing the services of striker Yannick Ndjeng who has torn a ligament in his knee and another striker Haythem Jouini is injured.

The Blood and Gold were beaten 1-0 by rivals Club Africain in the Tunisian derby to miss out on the Ligue 1 title.

However, Esperance have in their fold Ghana defender Harrison Afful for tips on how to beat the 20-time Ghanaian champions.

Glorious Hearts of Oak won that tie 5-2 on aggregate for their only triumph in the premier continental club championship.