Hearts of Oak board member Frank Nelson has defended the controversial comments by his team's coach after the 4-0 drubbing in Tunisia on Sunday.

North African giants Esperance tore the Phobians apart, leading Herbert Addo to claim Hearts were now learning to be professional while he felt their opponents were already there.

The Caf Confederation Cup first leg game has made the Ghanaian side's hopes of going into the money zone even more arduous.

"Herbert  Addo was giving a judgmental statement based on what he saw in Tunis," said Nelson on Joy FM's Monday show Sports Track.

Some fans have been angered by the comments and have slammed the coach for speaking carelessly.

But Nelson wants perspective as he believes Addo did not mean to slight the Phobian setup: "I think Hearts of Oak is a big club and may edge Esperance in terms of  historical statistics, but I think North African clubs have understood football better than West African Clubs in terms of development."

"So when Herbert Addo is talking about Esperance being professional and we trying to be professional, there is nothing wrong with it," he said.

The return leg is in three weeks at the Accra Sports Stadium. The Accra-based side will require a miracle to oust Esperance with either a 5-0 win or more.

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