Hearts fans declare support for JSM Béjaïa ahead of Champions League clash with Kotoko

Published on: 07 April 2013
Hearts fans declare support for JSM Béjaïa ahead of Champions League clash with Kotoko
Hearts fans are rooting for JSM Bejaia

By Akyereko Frimpong Manson

A section of Hearts of Oak fans are backing Algerian side JSM Béjaïa to kick out rivals Asante Kotoko from the CAF Champions League.

Kotoko, Africa's best club in the last 100 years, are seeking to enter the 'Money Zone' of the competition for the first time since 2006 and they are favoured to go through at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi after holding the Algerians to a goalless draw a fortnight ago.

Kotoko have a long-standing rivalry with Hearts of Oak in Ghana and fans of the two clubs have had clashes in the past.

Kotoko fans made claims earlier in the week that a Hearts suppoters leader (Ali Phobia) was spotted escorting the Algerians when they touched down in Accra, claims which were denied by the supporters leader.

While Hearts have a crucial MTN FA Cup round of 16 tie with second-tier side Starke FC, a section of their fans are focusing their attention on Kotoko's downfall in the CAF Champions League.

They claim Kotoko fans openly supported their opponents during the 2006 CAF Champions League competition when Hearts failed to score a single goal in the 'Money Zone' of the competition.

Hearts, 2000 African champions, are battling with relegation in the local league but are likely to reach the quarter-finals of the Ghanaian FA Cup.

A win for Kotoko will ensure they secure a ticket to the group stage of the competition.

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