Ghanaian league champions, Accra Hearts of Oak, has written to the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) for direction over their weekend’s CAF Champions League competition.
The Phobians are billed to play as guest of Guinean side, Club Industriel de Kamsarat the Nongo-General Lansana Conte Stadium, in Conakry on Sunday in the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round.
But the game is in danger of being cancelled due to a military coup d’état staged against President Alpha Condé’s government, creating instability in the country.
The country’s borders, according to Col. Mamadi Doumbouya have been closed for a week, which means Hearts cannot travel to honour the game.
That has also resulted in the cancellation of the country’s World Cup qualifier against Morocco.
In a chat with the Times Sports, the Communications Director of Hearts,Mr. Kwame Larbi Opare Addo confirmed that the club has written to CAF on the situation but are yet to get a response.
“We have written to CAF on our game against IC Kamasar. We are yet to receive any response. The situation is very dicey so we must take into consideration the safety of players and every official connected to the game.”
MrOpare stated that the silence of CAF does not mean the match has been postponed or cancelled so they will continue with preparations to be ready at all times.
According to him, the country’s closure could force CAF to adopt other alternatives including playing the game at a neighbouring country or play both legs in Ghana, hence the need to continue with preparations.
He revealed that the club has lined-up a series of preparatory games to keep the boys in shape for the Champions League.
Meanwhile the team lost its first international friendly 1-0 to Togolese champions ASKO de Kara in Lome yesterday.
Both teams used the game as part of preparation for their impending CAF Champions League preliminary stage games this weekend.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
