Saani Mohammed: Ex-Hearts goalie claims former club are riding on luck in CAF Confederation Cup
Ex-Hearts goalkeeper Saani Mohammed claims his former club are riding on the back of luck in their CAF Confederation Cup campaign.
Hearts have drawn Tunisian giants Esperance in the finasl qualifying lap scheduled for the weekend of May 15-17.
In a repeated of the 2000 CAF Champions final, Esperance host the Ghanaian side in the first leg before traveling to Accra for the return encounter.
Hearts have performed creditably well in Africa inter-club competition despite their troubles on the domestic scene.
But former goalkeeper turned police officer, Saani Mohammed, says the club is only riding on luck to excel so far.
“The performance of Accra Hearts of Oak has to be attributed to the divine interventions from Allah and the presence of luck in their side. The team is struggling domestically but still finds its way past strong opponents in the continent. I am not taking anything away from the current playing body, just that things are not like they used to be. How do you explain their run when they are struggling to beat opponents domestically”? Saani is quoted sportscrusader. On the quality of players in the team as against their era, the former national goalkeeper refused to pick a bold stand
“I cannot say we were better or they are better. What I can say for sure is, our goalkeeping department was by far, very competitive than theirs. Any of us (the goalkeepers) who got the chance really showed our worth. We were like three to four quality goalkeepers with the team.
“Any goalkeeper chosen for a given match looks at the bench and is pressured to put up your best. Today, I doubt whether the goalkeeping department is that competitive.
“I want to plead with Ghanaians to pray for the team as they raise high the flag of Ghana. The team is riding on luck and needs prayers from the football family to see them through. North African teams are unpredictable and this is the time to announce our presence once again in the continent.”