The Chairman of the MTN FA CUP committee Kurt Okraku has assured Hearts fans that his body will only select the “crème-de la-crème” of match officials for the final showdown with Kotoko.
Hearts and Kotoko will battle it out for the 2017 MTN FA CUP trophy on the 29th October 2017 at the Tamale Sports Stadium.
But Hearts fans have raised legitimate calls for the MTN FA CUP committee to only select foreign match officials for the final.
However, Kurt Okraku has allayed the fears of Hearts fans insisting that only the best will be allowed to officiate in the finals.
“I think that it is fair that people speak their minds, it is fair that people speak about the ills that they think exist in the system,” Kurt told accraheartsofoaksc.com
“But it is also fair for us to also admit that there are some good referees in this country. Three days ago Ghana suffered in the hands of a South African referee, what about that? He was not a Ghanaian. I have seen top flight referees – Collina and co., – making bad calls.
“What I want to say is that the 29 of October is an “unmissable”opportunity for the crème-de la – crème of Ghanaian referees and [match]officiating.
“Everybody wants to be seen; wants to make a mark and wants to stand up and be counted so I am sure anybody who gets the opportunity to be part of this history will stand up and do a good job.”
Hearts have reached the finals of the MTN FA CUP for the first time in 17 years and they were at their fluent best when they beat Wa Allstars in the semi-finals. Kurt, who watched the game, admits seeing improvements in the performance of the Phobians.
“I think that Hearts’ performance was a bit wishy-washy in the beginning but of course the team generally picked up in performance and in quality over time,” he said.
“At the time that the team played in the semifinals, I thought that the confidence level of the squad was quite high.”