Former Hearts of Oak defender Larry Ibrahim Sumaila has wished the Rainbow Club “all the best” in their CAf Confederations Cup clash with Malian side AS Bamako on Saturday.
Sumaila, who now plies his trade at FC Samartex, is backing the former African giants to begin their continental campaign on high notes.
The 2004 Champions are playing as guests of the Malian side this afternoon in the first leg of the second round of the 2022/23 edition of the competition.
They are searching for qualification for the group stage of the competition, a feat that has eluded them for 18 years since winning the maiden edition.
It is their second attempt in two seasons, as they were eliminated last year by Algeria’s JS Soura at the play off stage.
And Larry, believes a correction of “yesterday’s mistake” is key to their success, which begins at the 50,000 capacity Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako.
“Let’s correct yesterday’s mistake and make ourselves proud,” the Madina Zongo star said in a hope-filled Facebook post.
“I got you. All the best Accra Hearts of Oak. The spirit that never dies.”
He was part of that failed Hearts of Oak squad that got eliminated by Algeria’s Soura in a 4-2 aggregate.
The 27-year-old right-back was released by Hearts of Oak on July 26, 2022 after four seasons that saw him win the league and two FA Cups.
He signed a two-year contract with the Timber Boys for a new football adventure in the Western Region.
In his last two seasons, Sumaila made 18 league appearances for the Phobians, playing a part in the 2020-21 Ghana Premier League triumph, capping it off with the FA Cup under Coach Samuel Boadu.
