Hearts of Oak have strongly criticised referee S.B. Bortey for awarding a late penalty to New Edubiasie in their final league match of the season at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The penalty, which was scored by midfielder Asiedu Attobrah, levelled the match at 2-2 and left the Phobians third on the log with 46 points while New Edubiase finished the season on 10th with 40 points.
But the Phobians did not hide their opinion at the penalty especially as it denied them a place in next season’s CAF Champions League.
“It was really a disappointing result for us today. We were coasting to victory but unfortunately disaster struck as Referee S.B. Bortey decided to award New Edubiase a penalty very late into the game”, lamented Hearts’ Public Relations Officer, Muheeb Saeed.
Despite the turbulent season they experienced, the Phobians seemed primed for continental club football and according to Saeed, they were willing to meet on the decision to participate in Africa next season.
“Of course, we saw next season as a fresh opportunity to put our house in order and prepare for Africa. Of course, we did not have the best of seasons but the fact that we were in a position to make it to Africa pushed us and that would have informed our plans for the coming season.”
Hearts are expected to look for a new coach for next season as Mohammed Polo’s contract with the team expires with the completion of the current campiagn.
By: Nathan Quao/citifmonline.com/Ghana