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Today, 17 December 2019 marks exactly 19 years since the Continental Club Masters, Accra Hearts of Oak won their first Champions League title.
Hearts of Oak beat Esperance Sportive de Tunis to win the tournament’s 36th trophy and the 4th trophy under the Champions League format.
The Phobians after making it to the group stage won 4 matches, drew 2 and topped the group with 14 points ahead of Al Ahly, Lobi Stars, Jeanne d’Arc.
Esperance also topped their group with 12 points ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns, Africa Sports and Sable FC.
The final was played at the Accra Sports Stadium, home ground of Hearts and the Stade El Menzah, Esperance’s home ground.
The first leg of the final was played at the El Menzah with 30, 000 spectators on 2 December 2000 and Hearts of Oak won the game 2-1.
Esperance opened the scoring the 36th minute through Zitouni and in the 52nd minute, Ishmael Addo equalized for Hearts. In the 79th minute, Emmanuel Osei Kuffour scored the winning goal for Hearts.
On 19 December 2000, about 45, 000 fans were at the Accra Sports Stadium to watch the second leg of the match.
In the second leg too, Esperance scored the first goal in the 18th minute through Gabsi’s strike to make it 2-2 on aggregate. Kuffour scored in the 83rd minute to make it 3-2 on aggregate and scored his second on the day in the 89th minute. Ishmael Addo killed the game in the 90th minute to make it 3-1 and 5-2 on aggregate.
Esperance protested the results of the second leg as the game was interrupted in the 18th and 75th minute when they were leading 1-0. The police fired teargas into the crowd and one canister landed in the VIP box.
Also, Esperance’s goalkeeper Chokri El Ouaer deliberately injured himself with the intent to get the game abandoned as his side had used all their substitutes. After the game, he was banned for one year.
by: Nana Asabere
