https://www.myjoyonline.com/today-in-history-hearts-beat-cotonsports-to-seal-confederation-cup-final-place/-------https://www.myjoyonline.com/today-in-history-hearts-beat-cotonsports-to-seal-confederation-cup-final-place/

On this day twenty years ago, Accra Hearts of Oak sealed qualification to the final of the maiden CAF Confederation Cup with a 3-2 home victory over Cameroonian side CotonSport de Garoua at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Hearts went into the game in second place with ten points, one behind CotonSports.

Knowing that a win would ensure a place in the final, Hearts wasted no time and raced into a two-goal lead courtesy a brace of goals by defender-turned-striker, Louis Agyemang.

Scoring either side of half time helped a great deal in settling Phobian nerves.

When Bernard Dong Bortey added a third with ten minutes remaining, the decibel levels at the Accra Sports Stadium went through the roof.

However, there was a late scare for the Phobians who conceded two goals in four minutes.

First, Boukar Makaji scored in the 89th minute and then 4 minutes later, Andre Nzame III was on target to set up a tense finale.

Despite the late rally, Hearts held on to secure a place in the final against Asante Kotoko.

The win for Hearts ensured the first, and to this day, the only all-Ghanaian final in a CAF competition. (Hearts eventually won the final, beating Asante Kotoko on penalties at their own backyard, the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.)

Hearts defender Dan Quaye (left) gets ready to block an attempt from Charles Taylor (far right) as Nana Arhin Duah looks on in the final

In the group's other game, Cameroon's Sable Batie were held by South Africa's Santos.

De Batie went in front after 35 minutes through Kemadjou but Santos restored parity on the hour mark thanks to Thokozani Xaba .

Bernard Ngom restored Sable de Batie's advantage five minutes later before Ernest Nfor put the result beyond doubt on the 68th minute.

With three minutes remaining on the clock, Ruben Cloete clawed one back for the South African sides but it was all they could manage as Sable de Batie held on for the win.

Final Group B Standings

Hearts 13 points

Cotonsport 11 points

Sable de Batie 7 points

Santos of South Africa 3 points

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