Ahead of Sunday's big Ghana derby, former Hearts of Oak inspirational captain Yaw Amankwah Mireku has revealed he was accused of bribery by Hearts officials in 2005.
The retired 33-year-old came off the bench to pull a goal back for Hearts with eight minutes left as the Phobian slipped to a 3-1 loss at the Baba Stadium in the return-leg of their 2005/06 league fixture.
Mireku spent over ten seasons with the former African champions and was an integral member of the Hearts squad during that season but he was surprisingly left on the bench as they faced their bitter-rivals in Kumasi.
And, Mireku who was capped 16 times by Ghana, says he was left in the dark as to why he was left on the substitute bench but later found out about a bribery allegation.
"I didn't know why I was left on the bench until during the break I heard allegations that Sammy Adjei had taken bribe and once I was his room-mate for the game, I had also been influenced," he told Accra-based Hot FM.
But it was the powerful midfielder who snatched a late consolation to save Hearts of Oak's blushes as Kotoko could have revenged a record 4-0 demolishing.
"With about eight minutes left, coach Offei asked me to warm-up. I did and came on to pull one back for Hearts."
He was a member of the all-conquering 2000 Hearts of Oak squad that won the Caf Champions League and the Super Cup and also lifted the Caf Confederations Cup.