Medeama shows sleeping giants Hearts and Kotoko the way after reaching CAF Champions League group stage

Medeama SC has shown sleeping giants Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko how to play in the CAF Champions League after reaching the group stages of the 2023/24 edition.

The last time the two clubs played at this stage of the competition was 17 years ago.

Since the 2006 edition when both Hearts of Oak and Kotoko qualified for the group stage of the competition, the sleeping giants have failed all attempts to qualify.

In that season's edition, the Phobians eliminated the Ethiopian side Saint-George SA in the first-round tie before going ahead to beat Tunisian side Étoile du Sahel to book their place in the last 8.

Elsewhere, Asante Kotoko secured victory over Maputo-based Clube Ferroviário de Maputo in the first round before eliminating Burkina Faso outfit USCA Foot in a 6-1 aggregate win.

However, the group stage results were not decent for the giants especially Hearts of Oak who failed to win any of their games and didn't score, finishing bottom of Group B with 2 points.

On the other hand, Kotoko, who was in Group A with Al Ahli, CS Sfaxien, Algerian side JS Kabylie, also failed to progress out of the group after finishing 3rd.

Asante Kotoko has played 145 games, secured 68 victories, drawn 37, and lost 40 games while amassing 241 points, scoring 219 goals in the process.

Meanwhile, Hearts of Oak, who are 21-time Ghanaian champions, have played 111 in the competition. The Phobians have 54 wins under their belt, drawn 21, and lost 34 games while accumulating 183 points with 167 goals scored and 138 goals conceded.

Hearts of Oak's last attempt to reach the group stage ended disastrously after suffering a 6-2 aggregate loss against Moroccan side Wydad Athletic Club in the 2021/22 edition.

Kotoko on the other hand, was eliminated by Sudan side Al Hilal after losing 3-0 aggregate.