Former Black Stars defender reveals why Kotoko and Hearts perform poorly in African competitions

Ex-Ghanaian defender Mohammed Gargo has revealed why Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts are not performing well in Africa, unlike the previous years.

The 47-year-old retired footballer insists poor preparations are the main issue that is affecting the two Ghanaian giants to shine whenever they go in for either CAF Champions League or Confederations Cup.

Over the past few years, one of the common lines for the poor performance of Ghanaian clubs in Africa has been how local league action – either a complete lack of it, little or bad/late timing – took a toll.

One major factor is how they prepare for the competition during pre-season

The Newly appointed Nsoatreman FC coach believes clubs will perform better in continental assignments with better preparations.

Gargo’s comments come in the wake of the late preparations of Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko ahead of the CAF Champions League and the Confederations Cup whiles other clubs are engaging in top-friendly games.

Speaking to Ghanasportspage.com, the former Udinese and Ghana defender said, “All is about preparations. We don’t take our preparations seriously sometimes as Ghanaians. As am talking to you now other clubs who will be playing in the CAF inter-club competitions are seriously preparing to arrange things well but we will take it slow till the last minute.

“We won’t do any proper training so you will see us lacking some small things during the competition”, Gargo told the leading sports page in Ghana (ghanasportspage.com)

“Although Kotoko and Hearts of Oak perform well but we will urge the leaders to check whether they will anticipate the preparations and if so it should be done early. They should also get some big matches to play. They shouldn’t think about the scoreline but they should let the boys get used to big matches so that they will take it easy when they meet such clubs in the competition,” he started.

Hearts of Oak joined their rivals and the GPL winners, Asante Kotoko to represent Ghana in Africa after beating Bechem United in the MTN FA Cup final in Kumasi.

The Rainbow was the only team to represent Ghana in both competitions after winning the league and the FA Cup title.