Former Hearts Of Oak midfielder, Leonard Tawiah has reacted to claims that they lost to Kotoko in the 2017 FA Cup final in Tamale due to salary issues.
In a recent interview granted by then Hearts Of Oak captain Thomas Abbey, the midfielder said:
“I can say that before the match, everything favored Hearts. We were supposed to win but there were very serious problems in the team. We had not been paid for three months and winning bonuses from seven matches were also not paid.
“I can tell you that, before the final, we were not even training. We were protesting so we will go to the training grounds and only jog for twenty minutes and go back home.”
“Most of the players had their contracts expired so we knew the match was the last opportunity to demand our pay. Not surprising that we lost in the first half. I can say it was what led to the defeat.”
In response, Leonard Tawiah who was part of the losing squad reveals the team partook in active training sessions before the game and were no frictions in camp.
“If Abbey said we were not training before the game, I will be surprised. I remember we were training well and even had a head injury in one of the sessions.” Tawiah said in a tape heard on Takoradi based Spice FM.
“There were no friction or what so ever in camp, things just did not go according to plan on the field on the day in Tamale.” He added.