Hearts of Oak star striker Ishmael Addo learnt first hand on Sunday that teams in the One Touch Top 4 will give him a hard time throughout the tournament.
Ishmael, three time goal king in the Premier League was "dealt with" by a Heart of Lions back line which included captain Jackson and his twin central defenders Ofosu Appiah and Rockson.
Addo even sustained a cut in the first half of the game but returned like the fighter he is with a bandage around his head.
"He was being hacked everywhere by Lions and the referee failed to protect him," said Albert Commey, Hearts of Oak's Public Relations Officer after Lions beat Hearts 1-0 in the One Touch Top 4 match in Cape Coast.
"Ishmael is a star and people come out to watch these stars. I have already complained to the GHALCA officials that if they fail to protect our stars in the One Touch Top 4, we will also advice ourselves. We spend a lot of money on these players when they are injured. Look at Charles Taylor who is undergoing treatment now. We spend too much on them. So we can't spend on them for other teams just to come and hack them."
Ishmael's injury affected his demeanor as the match wore on. The defenders of Lions gained a mental advantage over the former European based player. He was slow to his first ball which emboldened the Lions back four.
Emmanuel Ansong also did a terrific job on him, picking him up on the run and making him stay put.
"I must confess, the Lions players were more committed to win the game than our players. They were first to the ball all the time and hungrier for a win. They thoroughly deserve this win. Now we have to go back to the drawing board, re-strategise and get back to winning ways. Remember we are Hearts of Oak and we never say die. We shall return next week." Commey said.
