Hearts, Zamalek Clash…In Centenary Celebration

Accra Hearts Of Oak

GLORIOUS ACCRA Hearts of Oak will be 100 years old on November 11, this year, and the Phobians want to commemorate the historic occasion with a friendly match at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Reports reaching DAILY GUIDE SPORTS indicate that they have settled on Egyptian giants Zamalek.

According to the GNA, Egyptian giants Zamalek have accepted to play Accra Hearts on Oak in the charity match to commemorate the Phobians’ centenary celebrations.

Hearts, the oldest existing club in the country, have held preliminary discussions with the Cairo-based club with respect to the November 13 clash.

It was gathered that both parties have reached an advanced stage regarding negotiations for the encounter.

“We are poised to take part in the centennial celebrations of Ghanaian giants Hearts of Oak in November.

“We have principally accepted the offer, but a final decision shall be made by new coach Hassan Shehata in regard to the team’s fixture,” a Zamalek statement read.

Incidentally, Zamalek also reached the centennial milestone this year and are billed to play English giants Liverpool in the anniversary match in October in Cairo.

Zamalek are arguably ranked amongst Africa’s top five clubs with an avalanche of successes including being five-time African champions, 11 times Egyptian League winners and 21 times as Egyptian Cup winners.

Officials of Hearts have however confirmed that discussions are ongoing with a number of clubs but will unveil their centenary opponent at the appropriate time.

The last time the two clubs met was in 2001 when Hearts of Oak beat Zamalek 2-0 in the CAF Super Cup at the then Kumasi Sports Stadium, now Baba Yara Stadium.

From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi