Hearts of Oak assistant coach Hamza Obeng explains why the team performed poorly in Africa |

Hearts of Oak suffered a humiliating African campaign last season following a 1-6 exit from the Caf Champions League by eventual winners Wydad Casablanca and 2-4 loss in the Confederation Cup in the hands of Algerian outfit JS Saoura.

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The two defeats were in first round and playoff in the two African competitions respetively ending Hearts’ high hopes of making significant impact in Africa for the 2021-2022 season.

Hearts deputy coach Hamza Obeng says the team lacked experience in their Africa campaign last season resulting in their shambolic performance.

The Phobians were eliminated from Africa in both the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup.

Hearts of Oak lost heavily to Champions Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) to exit the Champions League. In the CAF Confederation Cup they were eliminated by JS Sauora.

According to the deputy coach, the technical team led by head coach Samuel Boadu and some players were inexperienced.

“We were eliminated not because of fear for our opponents but we were not too experienced as technical team and some of our players as well lacked Continental experience”, Obeng told Akoma FM.

“We learnt a lot last year in Africa. Playing them here was a bit easy but in the away games, their game plan and approach were totally different. Their facilities are far better than what we have here, their pitches are always watered and designed in a special way that makes it usable for them but uncomfortable for new users.

“They have quality, almost their starting eleven are players playing in their national teams. Again, they get better preparation compared to us, definitely it will be difficult to beat teams with such experience and quality unless you can match up in these areas”.

Hearts of Oak will be returning to Africa next season after winning the MTN FA Cup against Bechem United. They will be representing Ghana in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Ghanaian side have failed to reach their usual level in African football since the 2000s. For close to a decade, Hearts had never tasted African football but gained entry last season after winning the Ghana Premier League.

Hearts of Oak have win the Caf Champions League in 2000 and Caf Confederation Cup in 2004 against country rivals Asante Kotoko.