Accra Hearts of Oak coach, Francis Oti Akenteng, says the team still stands a chance of qualifying for the next round of the African Champions League despite a 4-nil mauling by St George.

On arrival from Addis Ababa yesterday, Oti Akenteng attributed the team’s disappointing performance largely to the harsh Ethiopian weather.

He however insists with some serious work, the return leg in Obuasi in a fortnight will restore their campaign.

“We never thought that we were going to be beaten to that tune, even if that was going to happen.

“We thought all along that we would be able to beat them or the worst coming to a draw but unfortunately, the first day we landed, we trained in the evening and discovered it was going to be difficult but we tried as much as possible to psyche the boys up.

“The next day, we tried again in training and we discovered it was worse, the altitude. It was serious. The boys couldn’t even jog, wonderful.

“Infact within me, I discovered we were in trouble. But just to show to the boys we would be able to overcome but lo and behold the final day came and it was serious.

“The weather was a major factor. And because we couldn’t offer any opposition, the people were all of a sudden very, very good,” Oti Akenteng told a local station.