Ghana champions Hearts of Oak were putting their act together for a trip to Conakry for the first leg preliminary game against Guinean side CL Kamsar on Sunday, September 12.

However, from nowhere, the French-speaking West African country slipped into chaos as Guinean special forces seized power in a coup d’état led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady Doumbouya.

With barely a week to the first leg game, many wondered whether a new venue in a neighbouring country was going to be the Guineans’ new host. But the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had other plans.

On Wednesday, a decision was announced. It was not good news for the Guineans as they are would not have the luxury of playing a home game.

According to CAF, Hearts will now host CL Kamsar in a one-off game on September 19, 2021 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The winner of the tie is set to advance to the next stage of the 2021/22 Total Energies CAF Champions League.

In a statement from the Ghana FA delivered by CAF, the Organising Committee of the Competition has decided that the match, which was scheduled to be played in Guinea this weekend, will not take place in view of the political unrest in the country.

In a letter sent to the General Secretary of the GFA, Prosper Harrison Addo, on the situation, CAF quoted the provisions of Articles 1 & 2.1 of Chapter XIII of the Regulations governing the competition which stipulates that the following shall applied:

“1. In case of troubles, wars, forces majeure or internal situations in a country that may affect the security conditions during planning of a match, the Organizing Committee may take the following measures: 2. In two leg matches (home and away):

2.1 If the case concerns only one country, the federation will play its home match on a ground in another country, or a single game will be played on the opponent’s field. Where appropriate, the Organizing Committee will determine the match venue.” The winner of this single match will qualify to the 2nd preliminary round of the competition. In case of a draw at the end of the regulatory time, the winner shall be determined by penalty kicks in accordance to the Laws of the Game.”

Kick-off time for the match is 4pm.

The news must have been a welcome one for the Phobians who would enjoy the support of the home crowd to sail through.

BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY