Shaun October Masson – The South African PHOBIAN

Exactly a decade ago, when Hearts beat South African giants Santos FC in Cape Town in the CAF Confederation Cup, a lifelong Santos fan, Shaun October Mason, then only 14 years old watched as Bernard Dong Bortey’s goal from his own half gifted the Phobians a first victory on their first trip to the land of Nelson Mandela.

Life, being so unpredictable, has brought the boy who watched Hearts for the first time with his Dad at the Athlone Stadium, into the camp of the Rainbow Club from the Rainbow Nation as a man.

And just like Hearts’ smash-and-grab victory in 2004, Shaun October has weaved his way into the heart of Hearts fans since pitching camp for a trial on the 12^th June, 2014 under recommendation from ex-Black Stars and former Santos FC player John Paintsil.

Shaun October has boyish looks and a slightly effeminate mannerisms without the ball, but once he is in action, the debonair outward appearance gives way to a stylish, energetic, effective, and composed footballer of the Brazilian ilk.

Hearts fans are connoisseurs of the beautiful game by virtue of their innate nous to recognize a good player and they have warmly received Shaun October Mason. The South African has taken more applauses from the ATTC training grounds Park of the Phobians than any other player since he began training with the club.

October has bamboozled his admirers and critics in equal measure, and even the technical team have not been left out of the Shaun October stupefaction. Initially purchased as a defender, he has been moved to the left-side of midfield, and at times as part of the striking trio in a 4-3-3 formation due to his versatility.

In the beginning, there were doubts he could not perform in the Ghanaian game due to his outward calm, benign and composed nature, but he has torn those doubts down to shreds, making up his lack of strength with his superb range of passing, tackling intelligence, and set-piece technique.

Shaun October has scored twice for Hearts in friendly games – none inside the 18-yard box – and numerous assists.

The 24-year old has slowly established himself as an important cog in Coach Herbert Addo’s team for the 2014/15 season.

The former Santos FC youngster opened up on his new surrounding, his ambitions and targets, and a whole lot more in this Exclusive interview. Read more below:

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Who is Shaun October Mason?

Shaun October: Mason October is a normal guy from a normal family in a normal town in Cape Town – where I was born. I went to school in Strandfontein High, in the Mitchells plane area in South Africa. Ever since I started growing up, I just wanted to be a footballer. Whilst I was in school, my father pushed me to pursue my academics, but I just knew one day I would be a professional footballer. I even got a scholarship to go to America to study at Michigan College, but I turned it down to play [football] for Santos FC.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Did your family agree with your decision to play football instead of going to school?

Shaun October: The decision was basically up to me and my dad. Whatever I decided, he was going to support me. So if I chose academics, he would support me, and so would my mum. Whatever I chose, they were going to support me, and I chose football.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: How many siblings do you have?

Shaun October: I am the only child. [He laughs]

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: How did you get into football and Santos FC?

Shaun October: My first club was Red Rovers, my local club. We used to play in the lower division in the districts. Santos were doing Coaching Clinics, going round primary schools and they came to my school – Vanguard Primary in the Vanguard district. I loved football so anytime or small opportunity I got, I played football. So I trained at the Santos Coaching Clinic, they saw me there and they scouted me. I even remember the name of the guy who scouted me and why I jumped at the opportunity. He promised me he was going to train me from the junior team through the reserves and into the first team because of the potential he saw in me.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What position did you start with when growing up?

Shaun October: I started as a striker at Red Rovers, but when I arrived at Santos, I was playing left wing. But I played under local legend Keith America, who coached me until I went to the first team of Santos, and he was the one who made me a defender.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: So what is your favorite position and who are the people ‘big’ players you played with at Santos?

Shaun October: I enjoy playing left wing when given the chance but I am comfortable in defense too. My Dad still believes I am a left winger. I have played with a lot of experienced players including John Pantsil and many others, but Preston Adams is my favorite. I miss playing with him a lot. He is my blood cousin. We started at Red Rovers and he joined me at Santos when he came for a trial.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Would you refer Preston Adams for Hearts if the opportunity arises?

Shaun October: Yes, there are a few brilliant players in South Africa I would refer to Hearts and Preston Adams would be one of them.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Have you been capped at any level by South Africa?

Shaun October: No, not yet.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: How did you hear of Accra Hearts of Oak?

Shaun October: I have watched Hearts before in Cape Town when they played Santos in 2004 in the Confederation Cup – that was when I first knew about them. I did not know of the achievements of the Club, and how big it was until I met John Pantsil, who told me a lot of good things about the club and the history and all the stuffs.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What is the relationship between you and John Pantsil; and did he convince you to come and play in Ghana?

Shaun October: We were teammates at Santos. You know life makes you friends, but football makes you brothers. There were a few clubs in S.A [South Africa] that I was about to sign for. It was just a matter of me going in to sign, but John [Pantsil] told me not to sign, and so I took his words and did not sign for any club in my country and came to Ghana.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: It is quite rare for South African players to play in other countries, especially on the continent (in Africa). But why the peculiar move and what is the intention behind you moving to Ghana to play here?

Shaun October: Look, [Accra] Hearts of Oak is a very, very, very big club. I want to play for my National team, and if I do well with Hearts of Oak, the National team [Bafana Bafana] will have no choice than to give me a chance. Do you understand? So that is my motive.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Can we say you are using Accra Hearts of Oak as a launch pad for your International career? And how are you feeling in Ghana?

Shaun October: I wouldn’t say using Hearts in that sense of the word, but I want to have a very good football career. Playing overseas and out of my country, is an achievement on its own. I really feel at home here; I really don’t miss home. I miss the people at home but everybody here at the club, and in Ghana, has welcomed me and made me feel at home. So I settled in very quickly as well.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Who has been your closest friend at training?

Shaun October: Emmanuel Hayford (we are definitely very close), as well Selasi [Adjei] and “Blackie” Quaku [Kweku Andoh]. They are the people who are very close to me.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What of the fans, they have been extremely impressed by your outputs especially when we played Tema Youth, and they have been cheering your every single move and pass. How does that make you feel?

Shaun October: I want to do my best all the time for the club, and for the team. If I can make the fans happy in doing the two things above, then that is a bonus.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What are your ambitions and targets for the Club?

Shaun October: My immediate ambition is to help the club win trophies and do my best at all times for the team.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: How would you describe or judge your time here, if at the end or during your stay with Hearts, you get a call-up into the South African [Bafana Bafana] national team?

Shaun October: I will love Hearts of Oak forever in my life, even more than I really do if I get a call to the Bafana Bafana during my time here.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Who are the players you look up to in the world of football and who do you model your game on?

Shaun October: I like [Cristiano] Ronaldo. I like his style of play because he is the best in the world. But in my position, I like Marcelo [Brazilian left-back with Real Madrid]. I try to watch and learn from him and how he goes about his business.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: We have heard you keep a picture of former Hearts player and legend Bernard Dong Bortey in your home, how true is it?

Shaun October: No, that is not true because I think someone heard me wrong. We do not have Dong Bortey’s picture in our living room at home. Dong Bortey’s picture is at the Santos FC office in South Africa. They have it in one of the offices in the Club. That is where the picture is.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Have you seen him play, where you there when Bernard Dong Bortey scored that long-range goal from his own half, against Santos in 2004?

Shaun October: Yes, I saw him play in Cape Town when Hearts played Santos way back, and I remember his beautiful goal too.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What do you do after training?

Shaun October: Mostly, I just stay at home and prepare myself for the next day of training. But if not, I go to the [Accra Shopping] Mall with my friends. I like watching sports and music videos. I like to listen to music too.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Who is your favorite musician, and have you settled on any Ghanaian artiste?

Shaun October: I like to listen to Hip-Hop and R&B. I like many artistes from Hip-Hop and R&B too; but in Ghana, I like Kwesi Pee’s music. He is my good friend and I like listening to all of his songs.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Have you picked up any of the local languages?

Shaun October: I am learning a bit of Twi and Ga.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What can you say in those languages, can you give me a sentence?

Shaun October: [He laughs]. “Medaase for the call”. [Thank you for the call in Twi]

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Can we ask a relationship question? Are you in a relationship?

Shaun October: Yes, I am in a relationship. I have a girlfriend in South Africa.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Our matches are telecast live on Super Sport, and it is very likely the people back home will see you when the league starts. Will that put a lot of pressure on you when the season starts?

Shaun October: No, not at all. I am actually excited about that prospect. I think my folks back home too will be excited about that too. That will be the way we can see each other, so that will be lovely. I will be very excited [not under pressure].

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What do you make of the new changes in the team, the technical team?

Shaun October: I haven’t met any other technical team and Santos is the only team I know. But I feel we have an understanding. I can understand everything they say about the tactics and formation, and they also understand me. There is no language barrier. I like how they go about things and they are very professional. I believe they will send this club to the very top with their methods.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: You have played in a lot of games here, what differences do you see between the Ghanaian game and the South African game?

Shaun October: Ghanaian football is a little bit more difficult than the South African game. But South African football is very much developed in terms of infrastructure.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Shaun Mason October, thank you very much for your time. We will catch up with you again.

Shaun October: Thank you very much too, and it is a pleasure talking to you.

What do you think is Shaun October’s best position? If you have watched him play, what has really impressed you about the South African?

Let us continue the discussion on twitter via @HeartsEleven , on whatsapp via 233542962261 or leave a comment in the ‘Leave A Comment’ box.

The Big Six Contenders for Hearts Captain

We do not know when the 2014/15 First Capital Plus Premier League will begin due to the on-going legal tussle between Alhaji Grunsah’s King Faisal and the Ghana Football Association.

But one thing that should concern all Phobians is the man who will CAPTAIN, and lead, our assault on the league title when the season finally gets underway.

Last season, Moro Abubakar took over the armband from the departing Mahatma Otoo, but he captained Hearts only 13 times throughout the season with his campaign ending abruptly after he picked up a knee injury and went under the knife at the end of the first round. The hard-working midfielder has left for Serbia and so will be absent to take over his captain-ship role.

Nuru Sule, Tetteh Luggard, Emmanuel Ansong and Philemon McCarthy shared the armband till the season ended last June. But with Ansong and McCarthy departing also, the question arises as to who will or should captain the Hearts team when the 2014/15 season gets underway.

In pre-season, the Hearts captain’s band has rotated between Philip Boampong, Tetteh Luggard, Robin Gnagne, Nuru Sule, and Kofi Abanga.

However, we will weigh the positives and the negatives of all the five ‘revolving’ captains and include Black Satellites skipper Owusu Bempah, as a potential captain for Herbert Addo’s side going into the new season.

THE HEARTS BIG SIX

1. Nuru Sule: The former Accra Great Olympics and Tudu Mighty Jets defender was given the armband when Hearts played Edubiase on the opening day of the 2013/14 season, and he kept the band when we played Kotoko at home in the next game. He went on to captain the team on a couple of occasions in the absence of Moro Abubakar and Philemon McCarthy. Incidentally, Nuru was once again handed the band when we played Kotoko in Kumasi in the penultimate game of the 2013/14 season. A move to Libyan side Al-Nasr failed due to the political tension in the North African country. He is back to Hearts and has been registered as a player of the club for the coming season.
POSITIVES: He played 24 games last season, leading (captaining) the side close to 10 times; and so he has the experience of leading the side.

NEGATIVES: He is likely to leave the club any time a foreign deal comes in and so he is not here for the long term. He picked up the joint-highest yellow card for Hearts together with Kweku Andoh, and so suspensions too might affect his role.

2. Kofi Abanga – The “General” as he is affectionately called has been handed the band in most of the “less-fancied” friendly series Hearts has played in, and looking on the longevity card, he is the most experienced and longest-serving member of the current squad. However, one thing also goes against the silky midfielder, and that is the fact that he is not guaranteed first team action in Herbert Addo’s new side with Leonard Tawiah, Issah Mumuni, Emmanuel Hayford, Emmanuel Laryea, Emmanuel Odartey, Richard Yamoah and co., vying for position in the heart of the midfield.

POSITIVES: Abanga is an experienced player and has a good relationship with all the boys; and he is truly loved by the fans of the Club.

NEGATIVES: He has a lot of competition in midfield, and it will be hard for him to be a regular in the new season (no disrespect intended whatsoever, but judging from what is happening in pre-season.)

3. Philip Boampong: The hard-tackling centre back has had the honor of wearing the Hearts captain band in pre-season. He captained the side in the Top-4 competition though he was subbed in the finals against Ashgold due to injury. He is also a returnee to the club so when it comes to longevity, he is part of the “senior” citizens.

POSITIVES: He is an experienced lad and commands respect from his mates. He can lead by example and has a good rapport with the technical team.

NEGATIVES: He is injury-prone. Anytime he goes into an aerial challenge, it is very likely he will need stitches on his head (happened three times in the league last season). And he will be in for major competition for the center back role together with Abankwa, Atinga, Nuru, Andoh (who is being used at the heart of defense now) and Robin.

4. Robin Gnagne: The Ivorian defender has been handed the captain band in the Super 2 clashes with Kotoko. He has been seen with the armband in most of the matches played since the home-and-away encounter with Kotoko. On the field of play, you cannot wrong the Ivorian for effort and endeavor. Will handing him the armband bring the best out of him, though admittedly, he is always playing at his best level for Hearts.
POSITIVES: Robin is everyone’s favorite and he epitomizes what it takes to play for Hearts. He played the joint-highest number of games last season for Hearts with Eric Kumi (26 appearances).
NEGATIVES: He is slowly developing a temper especially when Referees start cheating Hearts, as was the case with his red-card against Kotoko in Kumasi, and a few of his yellow cards last season.
5. Tetteh Luggard: The much-maligned goalkeeper has also had the opportunity to captain the side on a number of occasions, and though he is a reticent guy, he is known to psyche his colleagues up during matches. However, since, he is not guaranteed first team action due to the acquisition of Soulama Abdoulaye, will it be good to hand him the band just based on longevity?
POSITIVES: He can encourage his colleagues and he likes to give players vim. He has experience leading the team already and he is one of the longest-serving players in the team currently with Kofi Abanga.
NEGATIVES: He can go AWOL at times. He is in for big competition from Soulama and Seidu Mutawakil for the number one shirt.

6. Owusu Bempah: The versatile lateral defender is a dark horse in the Hearts captain’s armband race. He is already the captain of the Black Satellites, and he can combine the double role effortlessly. He is well spoken, humble and very respectful. But he will be away with the Satellites next year for the Africa Youth Championship, and if they make it, maybe the World Youth Championship. Can Hearts have a captain away from the team during the business end of the league?
POSITIVES: He knows what it takes to captain a big club having been burdened with captaining his nation at U20 level which shows his ability to handle heavy responsibility.
NEGATIVES: He might be away during the season on duty with the Black Satellites when the race for the title hots up, and his absence might affect the momentum of the team.

Who will you make your captain ( or even vice-captain) for the 2014/15 season based on the facts above? Did we forget any other contender for the role? Do you agree with some of the “positives” and “negatives”?

Tell us more via twitter @HeartsEleven or via Whatsapp number +233542962261 or leave a comment in the comment box below.
Face Book page coming soon. #PHOBIA

ROBIN GNAGNE – HEARTS’ BEST PLAYER (2013/14 SEASON).

ROBIN GNAGNE: THE IVORIAN PHOBIAN (The BIG INTERVIEW).

Robin Gnagne joined Accra Hearts of Oak in the 2012/13 league season under the recommendation of then assistant coach, Ben Adjei, from Sogakope Red Bull Academy. The Ivorian defender excelled in preseason, but he got an ankle injury just before the season begun when Hearts toured Sekondi-Takoradi. When he came back, Hearts had won just once from five games, and had lost their last three games which led to the sack of Coach Charles K. Akonnor.

The dependable defender played his first match on 18^th November, 2012 in Kumasi against Kumasi Asante Kotoko in a 0-0 draw, on David Duncan’s managerial Hearts debut. He is fast approaching 50 league appearances for Accra Hearts of Oak, and since his sterling performance on his debut, the defender has gone on to make those performances his norm.

Aside his excellent composed defending panache, the Ivorian has never missed a penalty for Hearts in a competitive game. He has scored 8 penalties from 8 attempts; 7 in the league and 1 in the FA Cup. His only missed penalty came in last year’s (2013) President’s Cup, when he rattled the bar after Hearts had taken a two-goal lead against Medeama in the finals.

Robin Gnagne scored five goals from the penalty spot in his first season, and he scored 3 from the spot last season. He was, without a shadow of doubt, Accra Hearts of Oak’s Best player of the season in the 2013/14 season despite the team struggling midway in the season.

Now, listen to the story of Accra Hearts of Oak’s most valuable player last season, in this long, but interesting, interview. Robin talks about his two-season stay with Accra Hearts of Oak and what the future holds for the club. Enjoy.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Give us a brief introduction of yourself and what is the correct pronunciation of your surname?

Robin Gnagne: My name is Robin Adou-Pierre Gnagne [pronounced: NAN]. I am an Ivorian and a defender of Accra Hearts of Oak and former player of Red Bull Academy and Labofoot Academy (Ivory Coast).

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: How did you come to Ghana?

Robin Gnagne: I was playing in my hometown for an academy team called Labofoot in Ivory Coast. They organized a tournament in Ivory Coast for some clubs and that was where some scouts saw me and brought me to Ghana.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com:  Who were the scouts, where did they come from and how many of you did they select or bring to Ghana?

Robin Gnagne: I don’t know where exactly they came from, but I think they were from Red Bull Salzburg. They picked five of us to Ghana, but only two of us were able to come.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: When was this, which club did you go to and how long did you spend there?

Robin Gnagne: That was I think 2009 when I came to Ghana. I came with one of my friends and we came to do another justifier again in Ghana.  They took me to Sogakope Red Bull Academy and I was there for four years before coming to Hearts.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: How tough was it for you to make the trip to Ghana at that young age?

Robin Gnagne: I have done it before. It was not the first time I had left home. I was in an [Football] Academy too when I was in Ivory Coast. But it was not easy. It was a tough decision to take but remember we go somewhere because of something. It is normal to think about your family, but sometimes you have to take certain decisions that you think might or will help you accomplish your mission in life. So it was my decision to come to Ghana.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: How did you come to Accra Hearts of Oak?

Robin Gnagne: Ben Adjei [former Assistant coach, captain, defender and long time servant of Accra Hearts of Oak] was coaching at Sogakope Red Bull Academy before he came back to Hearts. He came to tell Hearts about me. But three years ago, we played against Accra Hearts of Oak in Sogakope, I think they beat us 1-nil. But Ben Adjei was in the Academy as Assistant coach, and when he came to Hearts, he talked about me. So they sent a letter to Red Bull saying they wanted me and that is how I came here.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What Division were you playing in at Red Bull Academy; did you win any laurels or personal awards?

Robin Gnagne: We were playing in the First Division. No, I did not win any personal award. But we went to a tournament in Salzburg, Austria-Vienna. We came third in the tournament at Austria. But sadly, I was the captain of the side, yet I could not play in the tournament because I was injured. I was only there to support my colleagues.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Did you ever hear of Accra Hearts of Oak before you came to Ghana?

Robin Gnagne: Actually, no. I had never heard of Accra Hearts of Oak before coming to Ghana. I think I heard of Kotoko, who came to play against Asec Mimosa in the qualifier for the Champions League. I support Asec Mimosa, and I was just happy they knocked Kotoko out.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: So, why did you not join the giants of Cote D’Ivoire, Asec Mimosa?

Robin Gnagne: I remember I went there with my Academy to play them, but I never got the chance to be there. They are a big club in Ivory Coast, but I think their loss, is Hearts’ gain. Maybe, if I played for them, I wouldn’t be in Ghana.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: When you came to Hearts in the 2012/13 season, you did not start the season with us, why?

Robin Gnagne: I was injured. I went for the preseason, and I was there for like three weeks in Sekondi-Takoradi. But the last day before leaving for Accra, I got injured when we played a friendly match against a First Division team at the Essipong Stadium.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: The early stage of the 2012/13 season was a bad one for the Club? We had only one win from five games. Did you think you made a mistake by joining Hearts then?

Robin Gnagne: No, not at all. I felt really bad because of the way results were going for the Club. But I did not regret my decision to join. That is football. You cannot explain it that easily. Sometimes things go well, other times too, not really so. But I had no doubts that I made the right choice by joining Accra Hearts of Oak.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Your first ever game for Accra Hearts of Oak was the biggest game in Ghanaian football calendar, the big one against Kotoko in Kumasi in match-day 7 of the 2012/13 season. Did you know of the rivalry between Hearts and Kotoko?

Robin Gnagne: Yes, I was told about the rivalry when I joined the club. I was told the match was not an easy match and that we could not lose that game because our supporters would not forgive us. And even before the match, everything had changed in the club. We had a new coach and the preparation was different and more focused.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What was going through your mind on the day of the match playing in front of 30,000 plus people?

Robin Gnagne: I was very focused for the game. I told myself I could make it by the grace of God. And I believed in God and I was happy to make even with the pressure on us. I have never played in front of such a large number. But I think I saw a lot of Hearts colours in the stands and that gave me a lot of motivation. The Hearts fans were always singing and you could hear them loud on the pitch, and that really helped me to settle.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Were you scared when the game begun? You looked a bit uncomfortable in the early minutes, what happened?

Robin Gnagne: I was not scared, to be honest. But in football, you take time to settle. You do not have to rush, you have to take time and play. I think I did that in the early minutes and it helped me a lot too throughout the game.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Laryea Kingston was sent off in the early stages of the second half, and it was David Duncan’s first game in charge. What did you do to get a draw with 10-men?

Robin Gnagne: We had one of the best coaches in the country then, David Duncan, and he organized the team. He switched our system to a zonal one, and so we were not marking players but our zones on the field. I think that really helped us and because of that you could not tell how many players we had on the field.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: At the end of the game, Hearts got a draw against her sworn-rivals with 10-men. How did you feel?

Robin Gnagne: I was really happy at full time. That was my first game and my prayer before the match was that we should win and make our fans happy. But because we played with 10 players, I was happy we got the draw at the end of the match. You know it is not easy when you go away especially against Kotoko. We did everything the coach told us and that got us the result.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Moving on, you got another chance to play in the next game against Liberty Professionals. That was also your first game at the Accra Sports Stadium, but something strange happened in the game. We had a penalty and you went for the ball. We had Mahatma Otoo and a couple of senior players, but why did you do that?

Robin Gnagne: Yes, it was true. I went for the ball when the Referee blew for the penalty. I am not scared of penalty shoot-outs because I have a lot of confidence in front of goal, so I did not think too much when we had the penalty. I just wanted to play and I told my colleagues, I will play it. They all understood it and so I was given the nod to take it and I thank God I scored the goal.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Where from that confidence, do you have an experience from the penalty spot or lesson to tell?

Robin Gnagne: Yes, I have a very sad story to tell when it comes to penalties. I think I let Red Bull Academy down in the FA Cup some seasons back. We played a 1-1 draw game with a certain team in the FA Cup, and the game went to penalties. I took the first kick and missed for the other team to win the tie. I was really hurt that I let my team down. Since then, I kept working on my penalty kicks.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: That is a good story. You have a 100% record in the league and the FA Cup when it comes to taking penalties, who should we give the credit for the impressive run?

Robin Gnagne: I think the thanks must go to my Red Bull Academy colleagues. They did not blame me for losing the game on penalties in the FA Cup. They rather encouraged me to take more penalties when we had them in matches. I just got my confidence back and lost the fear because they will always call me to come and take penalties.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Let me take you back to the Liberty game again. Why did you celebrate wildly after scoring from the spot against Liberty Professionals?

Robin Gnagne: I was extremely happy. I just took off my shirt. It was a difficult time for me because when I came, I could not play in any match for a while. Then I got my first game against Kotoko, and I did well. My first match in front of the fans too, I was able to score. I was very, very happy to play for such a big club and score a penalty.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: How would you compare the performance of last season to that of two seasons ago?

Robin Gnagne: Last season we had a very good team. But last two seasons, our team was not really going well, especially in the first round. In the second round, we built a good team and we tried our best to make the fans very happy with our finish. We did the fans happy looking at the place we came from to finish at fifth. We had a solid team in the second round and everybody was afraid of us in the league. We won so many games in the second round, but if we had a little more points from the first round, I think we would have even won the league. But it was not meant to be and so we had to try again last season. We had another good team but unfortunately we had some changes [Duncan sacked midway through the first round] along the way and things turned out not too well.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: There were technical changes in the team last year, how did that affect the players?

Robin Gnagne: I think our team morale went down during the changes. But we had to catch up, even though it was not easy. We had a good team and so we needed to respond positively, which I feel like we did. We had to manage it, and not let the change affect the whole season, but it took a lot of time to get our season back on track. The problem cut across the whole Club. There were changes in the playing body, the technical team, and even the management of the Club, but we only had to work hard to give the fans results at the end of the campaign.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: We won the President’s Cup in 2013, and we beat TP Mazembe and Medeama to win it; what do you recollect of the Cup winning year?

Robin Gnagne: The feeling of lifting a trophy is always great, and being my first trophy with Hearts, I was really happy and lucky to be part of that team. I quite remember being so happy on the day we beat Medeama because they had worried us in the season. I was thrilled also because it was my first cup with such a great club. It was not easy for us because we missed out on the league and t he FA Cup, but winning the President’s Cup went in a way in appeasing our fans. We just had to thank God for the small success.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Do you remember how Hearts scored their second goal against Medeama in the President’s Cup finals? I think you started the move with a good run from the center line before dribbling into the box to lay a pass for Mahatma Otoo to score?

Robin Gnagne: Yes, I do remember [smiles]. It is something I have been learning for a very long time. But when you learn something, you need to practice it in a game. I think I felt very good that it worked on the day of the finals for Hearts. I will give the credit to God.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: You missed a penalty for the first time in Hearts colours when you crushed your shot onto the crossbar with Hearts leading 2-0, any regrets?

Robin Gnagne: I was a bit down after missing the kick. I was quickly told to forget the miss and concentrate on the game by my colleagues. It also helped and eased the anger for me. But that is football. Anything can happen especially when it is penalties. I have no regrets because what was important was that, we won the game and the Cup on the day.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: How important was the 2013 President’s Cup for you and the fans?

Robin Gnagne: Well, I was satisfied to see that our fans were happy after the game. You know we suffered in the first round of the season, and the fans had gone through some very bad times. But winning the President’s Cup brought back the smiles for all the fans, and that is a good thing for me. I think it helped them to forget how the season had unfolded.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Your captain and leader then was Mahatma Otoo, the top-scorer that year; do you feel you miss him in the team?

Robin Gnagne: Yes, why not? He is a great player and he helped the team a lot. So, it means everywhere he played before, Mahatma [Otoo] will be missed big time. But that is also football for you. You can’t be at one place forever and so after playing three or four seasons, you have to go somewhere and get experience.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: We started the 2013/14 league season on a very good note; we won our first game away at Bekwai, but we lost our second game against Kotoko at home. What were some of the things you can recollect from the defeat?

Robin Gnagne: I think coach [David Duncan] tried to psyche us up immediately at halftime [because we were down by a goal]. He told us to come out fighting and we did that to the last sweat. I think we were all determined to get the equalizer and if possible to get the winner. But Kotoko came prepared and they were very tough to beat in the second half because they scored one and so were defending but they were also dangerous on the counter attack. They had just one chance and they took. But I think it was a fantastic game, but sadly we lost.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: We came back to Tema with a lot of surprises for the supporters by beating Inter Allies 2-3. But the game ended abruptly for you after you picked, I think, a shoulder injury. How did you feel?

Robin Gnagne: I went for an air ball but I was pushed from behind and I did not see so I fell on my shoulder. I got the injury at halftime and that time we were leading 2-0, I think. I did not want to go out. I wanted to play but the pain was too much. I came out to sit on the bench in the second half and I was telling my colleagues to fight so that we got the three points. They made me happy by winning that game despite my injury.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: You missed four games after your injury, but what was it like watching Hearts from the sidelines?

Robin Gnagne: I was not worried at all because we were winning our matches. We beat Hasaacas at home, we went away to beat Bechem United, and we won at home against Berekum Chelsea too. So my teammates made me very happy during my time out on the injury table.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: David Duncan was sacked midway in the first round of last season, how did it affect the team?

Robin Gnagne: I was very disappointed but that is football. David Duncan was advising us like a father and at the same time like a coach. I think it is the same way Herbert Addo treats us now. I remember the day Duncan left us. I think we trained in the morning, but when I got home, somebody called me to tell me David Duncan had been sacked. I did not believe it so I went to the Secretariat myself to find out. They confirmed it and I was very down. I was not even able to call him [David Duncan] afterwards because I was really down.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Despite losing your coach David Duncan, you beat Amidaus Professionals in the next game by 1-0 away at Tema with Ben Adjei in charge. What was the secret of that win?

Robin Gnagne: We had a surprise visit from David Duncan when we were in camp. As soon as we saw him, we were so happy and forgot everything. He spoke to us and told us to fight for the Club at all times, and I think we took that mentality to the Amidaus match and we won. It was a mixed emotion for the team. We were happy we won the match, but we were also sad that our coach [Duncan] was leaving. But once again, it is football.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: After David Duncan’s departure, it did not take long for Ben Adjei, who brought you to Hearts, to also leave the Club. How did you manage missing these two influential guys?

Robin Gnagne: When Ben Adjei left, I was totally shattered. But it is life. When your time comes to leave, you will leave; and that goes for the players as well. We will also go, but it was very difficult for me to say goodbye to Ben Adjei. I did not know what happened for him to leave, but I just had to concentrate on the football.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: It was a difficult season for you, on a personal level, and the Club; but it could have gotten better on the last day. How painful was it to lose out on second place due to a painful penalty decision by Referee S.B Bortey?

Robin Gnagne:  I missed that game because I got a head injury in the Kotoko game. But I was very sad to see them cheat us like that at home. When we go away, they cheat us, and when we play at home too, they do the same. It is frustrating. That ball was not a penalty, but I do not know how the Referee [S.B Bortey] managed to award it against us. I was not happy, but it is past because another season is coming up.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: You also played the highest game of the season for Hearts, together with Eric Kumi. You played 26 times in the league, how were you able to put out such a fight?

Robin Gnagne: It was not easy, but for everything I must thank God. All the credit must go to the Almighty God. He made it possible for me to play all the games and I am grateful.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: You missed out on the best defender of the season for the second year running. What do you make of the omission or neglect from the selectors?

Robin Gnagne: I am not surprised by the neglect. Last two seasons, I had a very good run in the league but nobody put out my name for the Best – this or that – Award. They did not give it to me, but they gave it to someone else. This season, I played a lot of matches for Hearts. Fine, we had a difficult season, but I think I played my best football last season. I do not really think about it. They are deciding it; but I have to work more hard on the field to get their attention.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: We have had a few changes in the team from the technical department to even the playing body. What do you make of the new ‘dream bench’ comprising four CAF License A holders – Herbert Addo (Head Coach), Stephen Abugri (Asst.-Coach), Dauda Lutterodt (U17 Coach), Eddie Ansah (Goalkeepers trainer) and Sabahn Quaye (Team Manager)?

Robin Gnagne: We have a very good combination on the bench. I think they are the perfect technical bench. We have a fantastic coach [Herbert Addo] and a great Team Manager [Sabahn Quaye] too. All of them are very good and it means things will be better this season. We will give out our best to be the best this season for the new technical team and the fans. We just have to do everything to make our fans happy. We can take everything this season. I believe we are going to do it because we can do it.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: How would you describe Coach Herbert Addo?

Robin Gnagne: Herbert Addo is a great coach. He is also a good father. He talks to us nicely and at the same time he gives us a lot of advice. He treats us like his own children and he is a simple man. He is the same when we are playing matches. No matter how the game is going, he still talks to us calmly and with a lot of respect. He does not shout on the players. He will tell you nicely when you make a mistake and because of that, you wouldn’t want to repeat it again. He keeps us calm in the game and he will make a lot of us big players. At training, he teaches a lot of tactical discipline and a lot more in life. He is a fantastic man and coach.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Who is your closest friend in the team?

Robin Gnagne: I do not have a close friend in the team [he laughs]. Everyone is my friend. All the players are like my brothers and I get on well with everybody. We are brothers and we are friends too. That is how they welcomed me to the team so I am free with everybody in the team.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What is your target for the season?

Robin Gnagne: I personally want us to win everything. We will have to concentrate more on the league and the FA Cup. We must get those two cups to make our fans happy. We will fight to be on top of all the teams when the league starts.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: What is your message to Hearts fans?

Robin Gnagne: I have a very good relationship with Hearts fans, and I can say I am very happy to be part of the Hearts family. They have always supported me, in the good and the bad times, and I am very happy with the support. I am extremely happy to be a player of Accra Hearts of Oak and I am grateful to the fans for making me who I am today. They always advice me like a brother and a friend and are very good to me. I do not have anything to say to describe how special the fans are to me. I love them.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Robin, where or who would you love to play for? Cote D’Ivoire or Ghana?

Robin Gnagne: I have been asked that question many times. But when the opportunity comes, I will take it. It is football. You see players playing for other countries. Ghanaians also naturalize for other countries and so do Ivorians. But when the opportunity comes, I will make it. But honestly, I am not thinking about International football yet. I just want to give my best to my club, Accra Hearts of Oak and the fans. That is my thinking. I want to achieve something for Accra Hearts of Oak this season, and in the name of God, we will do it. We just have to put our hands to it, and we will do it for Accra Hearts of Oak.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Would you like to win a personal award at the end of the season?

Robin Gnagne: Yes, why not. Is there a player who would not want to win the best player award? This season, I am going to be the Best Defender, and I would want to win the Best Player of the season too with the help of Herbert Addo and the technical team.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Thank you very much for your time.

Robin Gnagne: Thank you also for talking to me. I hope the next time we talk again, you will be asking me how many trophies have we won from the season.

Is Robin Gnagne your best player of last season (2013/14)? If he is or he is not, please tell us why via @HeartsEleven and +233542962261 on whatsapp; FaceBook page coming soon.

Cecil Jones & David Duncan – THE FATHER & SON

Happy Belated 70^th Birthday Cecil Jones… Happy 51st Birthday David Duncan

Accra Hearts of Oak’s greatest coach of all-time and Ghana football’s most successful Club manager, Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio (born 18^th October, 1944 ) opened up his doors for an in-depth interview on his 69^th birthday (last year); and since, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio and David Duncan (born 25^th October, 1963.) were born in the same month (a week separates their birthdays), HEARTSELEVEN.wordpress.com will like to bring you excerpts of an interview we did with Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, which was published in Hearts News last year 18^th October, 2013.

The legendary coach, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, won 10 major trophies with Accra Hearts of Oak in 5 years and in two spells. In his first spell, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio won four consecutive league titles, two FA Cups, one African Champions League, and the Super Cup in a space of four years. He returned to his darling Club in 2004 to win the maiden CAF Confederation Cup beating bitterest rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko, and he wrestled back Hearts of Oak’s league crown from the same opponents who hitherto had ended the Phobians’ six-year stranglehold on the Ghana Premier League title.

Cecil Jones Attuquayefio is convalescing after undergoing treatment for throat cancer. The affable, eloquent, charismatic, sociable, and gregarious veteran spoke on his improving conditions, on the team’s course for success, on David Duncan and the need for him to be supported. He also congratulated the Black Stars on their historic win over Egypt.

Even before we could kick-start the interview, Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio magnanimously left his seat and went inside his bedroom. He came back with a vintage shirt and a trademark cap for David Duncan. Read the excerpts below.

HeartsEleven.wordpress.com: Good afternoon, sir.

Cecil Jones Attuquayefio: Good afternoon, gentlemen. Welcome to my home.

This is one of the luckiest and the last of the luckiest uniforms for Accra Hearts of Oak bench and it is for the coach. I am presenting this to him, as a sign of good omen, and the sign to help him. When he wears it, he will have the feelings and the spirit of the PHOBIA that will help him to go through thick and thin of every situation. So this is from the bottom of my heart to Duncan.

Heartseleven.wordpress.com: We wish you a happy 69^th birthday on behalf of every Hearts of Oak fan in the world. How are you feeling, Sir?

CJA: Thank you. Well I think I feel stronger and stronger every day. But there is a side effect; and of course I have not stopped visiting the hospital so I always visit the hospital for check-ups and observation. But I can see that I have got much strength; my strength is coming back. Hopefully, I will probably have a change of voice. And I think that I believe that will give me the opportunity to mix up with people.

Heartseleven.wordpress.com: We are very honoured to be part of your 69^th birthday. We pray that God grants you long life, good health. How does it feel to reach another milestone, Sir?

CJA: I am glad that I am able to reach the 69^th birthday. I am very happy and I will give thanks to the Almighty for keeping me all this while. And I hope that, the Lord God will guide me and protect me and give me some more life.

Heartseleven.wordpress.com: How do you see the work of David Duncan in the new season and do you believe he can lead Hearts of Oak to the ultimate this season? [Duncan was still in charge of Hearts when we conducted the interview]

CJA: I think I know David Duncan very well, and I have followed his exploits. Duncan is capable of achieving honours for Hearts of Oak. He has shown it last year, and this year, I think he has started again. I know he can do it. All that we need is to offer him the support, from the rank and file of Accra Hearts of Oak. I wish everybody will offer him the support. There are bound to be rough times but I believe that he can sail through. All that he needs is our prayers and support and I am sure Hearts of Oak will get back to its glorious days.

Heartseleven.wordpress.com: What are Hearts’ chances of winning the 2013/14 Premier League?

CJA: So far the only match they have lost is the one against Asante Kotoko; and they are leading, Hearts of Oak is close behind them. What we are saying is that, “this is a marathon, not a race” and we still have the room to achieve our objectives so having lost in the early stages of the competition makes no difference. We are to move forward. Forward ever and we don’t look back. Give him [Duncan] the support and I believe he will achieve all he wants to achieve.

Heartseleven.wordpress.com: What do you think the players need to do if Hearts is to return to its glorious past?

CJA: I heard one of the players say how much they respect and trust Duncan. What the players need to do is that all of them should realize that they should give respect to their coach and the support. Well, there are times where there will be differences, but it behooves on every player to know that this is a coach who wants honours for the player, for himself, and for the club. And therefore, sometimes he needs to drive them on. It is their responsibility to accept and absorb the drive. All the players need is the support and respect for their coach.

Heartseleven.wordpress.com: What role can the fans play in helping the Club to reach its objective for the season?

CJA: I remember my early days in Hearts of Oak. The first match I lost was against Accra Great Olympics, the club that I played for. Before going to Hearts, people did not think I was going to enjoy any support because of my relationship with Olympics. But when I lost the match, I enjoyed sympathy from the rank and file of Hearts of Oak when I thought people were going to capitalize on that to say all sort of things against me. But they rather came and sympathized with me. They encouraged me to achieve more honours. So I am saying that if this thing can be done to Duncan, I am sure the sky will be the limit. In view of this, I always remember how much I respect the supporters of Hearts of Oak. How much I know they can achieve for the Club. Their support alone has helped us to win all the honours that we achieved in Hearts of Oak. I wish they will continue to give that same support to Duncan and the management so that victory will crown our efforts.

Heartseleven.wordpress.com: What have you missed most from the fans of Accra Hearts of Oak and one of your fondest memories of your relationship with the supporters?

CJA:  Whilst I was in Hearts of Oak, I remember my belief in some of the uniforms which had so much luck and that in every match that we played, I had to wear them. And I think the supporters saw me always in that “top colour”. I had two trousers, blue and white, and I used them throughout my time in Hearts of Oak on a weekly basis. But the Hearts of Oak supporters wanted to know if they were the only things I had in the world (laughs and smiles with the flashback). So they asked in Ga, “meni,  Jones, Atarley e oonye ocha kay?” Which literally meant: “So Jones, you cannot change attire or what?”

This is what I remember and I still laugh everyday it comes to mind. I think that I enjoyed my stay with Accra Hearts of Oak. I want the same to be done with Duncan. He is getting a similar treatment and so he should know that this is what brings the excitement and honours for Hearts of Oak so he should carry on.”

Heartseleven.wordpress.com: What do you make of the Black Stars showing against Egypt? [Local Coach Kwesi Appiah’s side had just pummeled Egypt in the first league of the play-off for the 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP; and Cecil Jones asked to get his view included as part of the interview in recognition and respect for Kwesi Appiah’s salient achievement]

CJA: Well, the recent achievement [of the Black Stars] I will like to say, and people are saying it is an unprecedented achievement. But I will like to add that it is historic! I wish to tell Kwesi Appiah that this is an issue [local coaches qualifying Ghana for the World Cup] none of us had been able to do. We have not been able to achieve that and he is in the process of achieving history and I believe that he can do it. He has been able to lead the team to this extent so far and we hope that the sky will be the limit for him. He has our backing, he has our support, and he has blessing, and I hope that God will help him to achieve his aim. I wish him the best of luck.

Heartseleven.wordpress.com: We wish you a happy 69^th birthday. We hope to see you back on the field very soon.

Cecil Jones Attuquayefio: Thank you very much. I hope I will be back on the field before I will finally go to my ancestors.

[David Duncan was sacked on the 8^th November, 2013, just 22 days after the interview with Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio. We wish new Olympics coach, David Duncan, a happy 51st birthday. You can forward David Duncan birthday his messages via @Ddun1025 (twitter)]

*David Duncan has gone back to Accra Great Olympics, but do you foresee him ever coming back to Accra Hearts of Oak as coach to complete his mission?

Tells us more @HeartsEleven ; facebook page coming soon. [Picture: Top-Right – Duncan ponded by his players on his birthday, last year at the ATTC Park]

It takes us, fans, to make Hearts, Hearts!

HeartsEleven is a new forum for Accra Hearts of Oak fans to express, discuss, observe and dissect, and share their views on the Club. You and you and you are all part of the PHOBIA agenda-setting crusade of HeartsEleven.

We will be bringing you many inside (camp) stories, player stories and interviews, memory-lane flashbacks, facts, figures and stats from seasons past and present, and many more from the camp of the Continental Club Masters Accra Hearts of Oak.

You can have your HEARTS views posted here: just send your articles to heartseleven@yahoo.com or drop it on whatsapp +233542962261, or better still, give me a call to write up the story for you with your name on top of it (ALL FOR FREE).

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