How Hearts of Oak bathed a mad man in a jersey to win the 2004 Confed Cup

As excitement builds for Sunday’s Super Clash between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium, a sensational revelation from former Hearts management member Aziz Haruna has reignited memories of one of Ghana football’s most talked-about encounters - the 2004 CAF Confederation Cup final.

Speaking on Sporty FM, Aziz recounted how spiritual influence allegedly played a role in Hearts’ triumph over Kotoko in that historic all-Ghanaian continental final. According to him, a renowned mallam gave them unusual instructions before the decisive match.

“Let me give you one example. The Confederations Cup, for instance, we believed that there was one mallam that we visited and he told us that the game between Hearts and Kotoko was only one goal and Kotoko have the chance to score one goal, but if we do what he said, then we can win the game,” he said.

He further revealed how the management of the team was willing to do anything to get their hands on the trophy.

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“We asked him because we were ready to do anything for Hearts of Oak. He said we had to look for a mad person and bathe him in the centre circle of Baba Yara and wear him a Hearts of Oak jersey. The match will go to extra time if Hearts equalise, and Hearts will win the game, and we indeed did it,” he added.

That final remains etched in Ghanaian football history. After both legs ended 1–1, Hearts of Oak defeated Kotoko 8–7 on penalties in Kumasi to become the first club to win the CAF Confederation Cup.

It was a night of heartbreak for Kotoko but eternal glory for Hearts, whose golden generation of Charles Taylor, Bernard Dong Bortey, Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, and Amankwah Mireku delivered one of the most iconic victories in the club’s history.

Nearly two decades later, the story has resurfaced ahead of another fierce chapter in this age-old rivalry.

On Sunday, November 9, the Phobians and the Porcupine Warriors clash again in the first Super Clash of the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season, and as always, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

For Hearts, it’s a chance to end a four-match winless run in the league against their eternal rivals.

For Kotoko, it’s about pride, payback, and proving their pedigree once again on Ghana’s grandest football stage.

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