Former Hearts of Oak captain Thomas Abbey attributed the 2017 MTN FA cup final loss to salary and bonus problems.
The Phobians were favourites going into the match against their arch rivals Kotoko but a first half hat-trick from Saddick Adams led the Porcupine Warriors to a shock 3-1 win.
Abbey scored the consolation goal of the game.
“I can say that before the match, everything favoured Hearts. We were supposed to win but there were very serious problems in the team. We had not been paid for three months and winning bonuses from seven matches were also not paid," he told Angel FM.
“I can tell you that, before the final, we were not even training. We were protesting so we will go to the training grounds and only jog for twenty minutes and go back home.”
“Most of the players had their contracts expired so we knew the match was the last opportunity to demand our pay. Not surprising that we lost in the first half. I can say it was what led to the defeat.”