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Tag: Hearts of Oak

  • Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and his camp turn down massive move to Sudan

    The forward for Hearts of Oak, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, declined a sizable transfer offer from an unnamed Sudanese powerhouse.

    Ghanasoccernet reports that the Sudanese team is prepared to pay Hearts of Oak a hefty transfer price of $1 million for their top player.

    However, the forward and his agent do not believe that the player’s future lies in Sudan because there are other, more opulent options on the table.

    Hearts have opened contract talks with the talented forward for months now but no compromise has been reached between the pair.

    Barnieh was part of the Black Stars squad that played at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar although he did not play a single minute but featured in Ghana’s last preparatory game against Switzerland where he shone.

    Hearts have tabled a new proposal before the player but he and his representatives have rejected it with a move away on the cards.

    The club has been in talks with the player about extending his contract with them for a while but no agreement has been reached with reports claiming that the player has now decided against renewing his contract with Hearts.

    Barnieh’s contract is due to expire at the end of this month and the player has refused to pen his signature to a new deal as reports indicate that several foreign clubs are pursuing him.

    Afriyie Barnieh has received a lot of offers from European and African clubs which are currently being weighed by him and his representatives as they look for the best option for a move next month.

    The Ghana U23 player has been in great form for the home-based Ghana national team as he contributed immensely to their qualification for the 2022 CHAN tournament.

    Afriyie Barnieh scored three goals in four matches in the qualifiers against Benin and Nigeria, earning in place in the Black Star’s final squad for the World Cup in Qatar.

    The former Ghana U20 captain attracted a lot of attention at home and abroad when he excelled in the last warm-up friendly match against Switzerland in Abu Dhabi on November 17, 2022.

    The young attacker was handed his very first start for Ghana at the senior level as the Black Stars beat the Swiss team by a 2-0 scoreline.

    Afriyie Barnieh was impressive for the Ghana U23 side when they eliminated Mozambique from the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with him scoring in each of the two-legged t

  • 2022/23 Ghana Premier League Week 9: Match Preview – Asante Kotoko vs Berekum Chelsea

    Asante Kotoko will try to reclaim second place on the league table when they face Berekum Chelsea in Kumasi on Wednesday afternoon.

    The Porcupine Warriors are currently fifth, and a win would propel them back to second, which fierce rivals Hearts of Oak currently hold after defeating Nsoatreman FC on Tuesday.

    Kotoko went into the World Cup break without a win in two games, which cost them the top spot in the league. They’ve most likely used the four-week break to get back to their best and would be eager to show it against Berekum Chelsea in Kumasi.

     

    Berekum Chelsea have been hot and cold this season, but they earned a great win before the break. They’ve had enough rest to be able to build on it.

    They have the potential to cause problems for Kotoko in their pursuit of their first away win of the season.

    The Blues won all three points in their last visit to Kumasi in May, thanks to a late goal by Kelvin Obeng. They haven’t won an away game since, so they’re hoping for a repeat performance.

    Chelsea must be at their best, as Kotoko are unbeaten at home, and the Porcupine Warriors feel more at ease when they play in front of their fans.

  • Boniface Ayipah unhappy with defeat against Hearts of Oak

    Nsoatreman FC deputy coach Boniface Ayipah has expressed his displeasure about his sides defeat to Hearts of Oak in matchday 9 of the Ghana Premier League on Tuesday.

    The Nsoatre-based club suffered their first home defeat when Hearts of Oak inflicted a 1-0 win over the Ghana Premier League debutants.

    Kojo Obeng Jnr’s goal in the 54th minute settled the encounter on Tuesday afternoon as the Phobians climb to the second position.

    Speaking after the game, Boniface Ayipah said he is unhappy about his sides defeat to the Phobians.

    “Seriously we are not really happy that we’ve been defeated. We came up with a strategy because we knew it was Hearts of Oak we are playing, we knew their style of play so have to map up a strategy to be able to hold them and to take them on”


    “In the first half we got glaring chances but we failed to bury the chances. It was unfortunate we couldn’t bury those chances and I think their coach too realize we are playing three back so he was pushing more men upfront and with that we had to talk to our midfielder to keep put but I think they didn’t get what exactly we were doing so they were able to get that chance”

    Mohammed Gago’s side in their first home defeat of the season lost 1-0 to Hearts of Oak, and are currently placed 7th on the league standings.

    They are away to King Faisal for their next league game on January 1, 2023.

  • 2022–23 GPL: Boniface Ayipah rallies support for the team ,After Nsoatreman FC’s loss to Hearts of Oak

    Following their 1-0 loss against Hearts of Oak in game nine of the Ghana Premier League, Nsoatreman FC assistant coach Boniface Ayipah has made a sincere plea to the fans.

    In the 54th minute, Kwadwo Obeng Jr. capitalized on a goalkeeping error to score the game’s sole goal.

    The win takes Hearts of Oak to the second spot with 16 points, while Nsoatreman FC lie 7th on the league table with 13 points.

    ”These pressures and things are coming from supporters. For me it is normal, whether in defeat or winning, we must support the team. We have to keep supporting them,” Ayipah told Startimes in his post-match interview.

     

    “We need to go back to the field and reorganize ourselves, understand exactly the wrongs that we did here today and then we will improve upon them and pick points.”

    Nsoatreman FC suffered their second successive defeat in the Ghana Premier League and will look to bounce back to winning ways when they take on Great Olympics on match week 10.

  • I support Asante Kotoko and not Hearts – Hearts captain Fatawu Mohammed

    Following the tense connection between the player and his club, Hearts of Oak skipper Fatawu Mohammed has exploded against his team.

    Asante Kotoko, a fierce rival of Hearts of Oak, is the team that Fatawu Mohammed claims he has always supported because his entire family also does.

    The defender extended his contract with Hearts of Oak on the last day of the year 2021 by two years and has one more year to run on the contract.

    But the club has informed the player that he does not feature in the plans of the club and is free to leave Hearts of Oak in the January transfer window.

     

    Since that news surfaced the player has gone on a tirade against the club as he has made a lot of unguarded comments about his current employers.

    “I’m not a Hearts of Oak fan. I support Asante Kotoko. In my house everyone supports Asante Kotoko,” Fatawu Mohammed said in an interview with Sports Obama TV.

    Among others, the Hearts captain claims his salary at the club is nothing to write home about.

    Fatawu Mohammed, 30, is one of the longest-serving players currently at Hearts of Oak and helped them end their more than a decade-long trophy drought with the league and FA Cup two seasons ago.

    He joined Hearts of Oak in 2013 from Real Tamale United.

  • I couldn’t even buy a bicycle with my Hearts of Oak salary – Fatawu Mohammed

    Hearts of Oak captain Fatawu Mohammed claims that his modest pay at the club did not even allow him to purchase a bicycle.

    The defender has one more year left on his two-year contract with Hearts of Oak, which was renewed on the final day of 2021.

    But the club has informed the player that he does not feature in the plans of the club and is free to leave Hearts of Oak in the January transfer window.

    Since that news surfaced the player has gone on a tirade against the club as he has made a lot of unguarded comments about his current employers.

    According to the player, he was only living from hand to mouth as his monthly salary was not enough to save for any development.

    He says the only good thing that came his way at Hearts was  earning  a Black Stars call up and nothing else.

     

    “I didn’t get even a bicycle from Hearts of Oak. I bought my car with Black Stars qualification bonus.

    “The only thing I earned from Hearts of Oak SC was the call-up I had to the Black Stars team.

    “I couldn’t buy anything with my salary at Hearts of Oak. It was a hand-to-mouth salary,” Fatawu Mohammed told Saddick Adams Obama on his YouTube channel.

    Fatawu Mohammed, 30, is one of the longest-serving players currently at Hearts of Oak and helped them end their more than a decade-long trophy drought with the league and FA Cup two- seasons ago.

    He joined Hearts of Oak in 2013 from Real Tamale United.

  • I will face the wrath of God if I advise Afriyie Barnieh to stay at Hearts of Oak – Fatawu Mohamed

    Fatawu Mohammed, the outgoing captain of Hearts of Oak, claims he will incur God’s wrath if he suggests Daniel Afriyie Barnieh stay with the team.

    The FA Cup champions’ desire to have Daniel Afriyie Barnieh sign a contract extension has the Phobians worried.

    Barnieh, whose contract expired on December 17 is yet to renew his deal with a chunk of clubs chasing him for his services.

    Speaking in an interview with Sports Obama TV, Fatawu Mohammed, who played with Afriyie Barnieh at the club, stated that God will never forgive him if he ever advises his teammate to stay with the club.

     

    “I will not advise Afriyie to stay at Hearts of Oak. God will even punish me for that, Afriyie is my son but I will not advise him to stay God will not even forgive me,” Fatawu Mohammed told Sports Obama TV.

    He noted that the management and board at Hearts of Oak lacks ideas when it comes to the business of football, hence the reason for missing out on big transfer deals.

    “The management doesn’t understand business, or they don’t do business, and they have no plans for the players, truth is bitter,” he added.

    Fatawu Mohammed, is reported to have been released by Hearts of Oak after years of captaining the Phobians.

  • Obed Ansah reveals what Black Meteors players purchased with bribe money

    Obed Ansah, a former Hearts of Oak and Black Meteors midfielder, has revealed details about events that took place in Iran in 2007, where Black Meteors players were compromised by a betting ring.

    The betting syndicate accessed players through goalkeeper Abukari Damba in order to obtain the desired outcomes for the syndicate.

    Damba is said to have wanted a 2-0 loss for the Black Meteors by paying six players $1,000.00 in the friendly match but Ghana lost 4-2

    One of the players Tuah Khamix reported the incident to his head coach, the late Jones Attuquayefio who in turn told the leader of the delegation Randy Abbey.

    Ansah divulged that a meeting was held where all players who took the money were asked to own up which many of them did.
    “Black Stars got a friendly international match but the U23’s were asked to play the match…in Iran that time Claude Le Roy was managing Black Stars. Randy Abbey was our chairman and I heard that we should come for a meeting when I got to the meeting I was sitting in front. Then we were told that all those who went to Damba and he gave them money should raise their hand. I was in front and to my surprise Saban was up and counting (the hands) 1,2,3 and it was still going on,” he said Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV on Youtube.

    “Later on Emmanuel Alan Skido who played for Liberty told me that Damba was calling me and I told him to tell him (Damba) that I am bathing so when I finish I will come. I did not know we were all in the meeting with Damba he was the keepers trainer. What I was told was that the money was with Damba and each player was to get 1000 but when they went he gave them 500,”

    “What surprised me is that time there was a new phone on the market Erisson or Nokia phone it was expensive and we were all waiting to receive the per diem so that we buy the phone. All that I saw was all the players holding the phone the hotel we were in the phone was been sold in a shop at the ground floor reception. Seven players were holding the phone and I asked myself these people when coming they didn’t have that kind of money where did they get this kind of money so later the matter got to management and I realized that the bribe issue made it possible for them to buy the phone,”

  • GPL: Hearts of Oak coach Slavko Matic nominated for Coach of the Month award for November

    The head coach of Hearts of Oak, Slavko Matic is one of four coaches who have been shortlisted for the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League coach of the month award for November.

    The other coaches are Michael Osei, Baba Nuhu, and Jimmy Cobblah.

    The four coaches have been shortlisted for the award after leading their respective clubs to pick important points before the Ghana Premier League went on break for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

    “Four Coaches have earned nominations for the NASCO Coach of the Month Award for November, 2022

    “Slavco Matic of Accra Hearts of Oak SC, Michael Osei of Bibiani Gold Stars, Baba Nuhu of Real Tamale United and King Faisal FC’s Jimmy CObblah are gunning for the monthly award.

    “The four Coaches lead their respective sides to impressive performances before the topflight league was halted for the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” a statement on the website of the GFA said on Friday.

    The eventual winner of the award will be presented with a 43-inch NASCO Television set from Electroland Ghana Limited.

    According to the GFA statement, the winner of the award will be announced live on the next edition of the GFA News programme.

  • Gladson Awako to join American side FC Cincinnati

    Gladson Awako, a midfielder for Hearts of Oak, could sign with FC Cincinnati before the January transfer deadline.

    As a result of the connections established between FC Cincinnati, TSG Hoffenheim of the German Bundesliga, and Ghana’s Premier League champions Hearts of Oak, Awako will join the team.

    .He will become the second Hearts of Oak player to join the club after Salim Adams should the deal go through.

    The 2009 U-20 World Cup winner has been impressive since joining Hearts of Oak from Great Olympics.

    He is currently at the camp of the Black Galaxies as they prepare for the upcoming 2023 Championship for African Nations (CHAN).

    As captain of the Black Galaxies, he will hope to steer the team to greatness at the tournament to be held in Algeria next month.

  • Slavko Matic commends Hearts of Oak despite defeat

    Despite the Hearts of Oak team’s Sunday loss to the Black Galaxies, Slavko Matic has commended them.

    The Galaxies played the Ghana Premier League team in a friendly at the Ghanaman Soccer of Excellence in Prampram as part of the 2023 CHAN preparations.

    Annor Walker’s side roar back to secure a 2-1 win over the Phobians.

    Despite the defeat, the Serbian trainer has lauded his side despite the defeat reiterating that it was a good exercise.

    “It was a good exercise for the team. We will continue to prepare for the task ahead,” he told the club media.

     

    “That’s where our focus is now. I wish the Black Galaxies all the best in the CHAN tournament,” he added.

    Ghana will be making a return to the CHAN tournament after missing the last three editions.

    The Black Galaxies are in Group C where they face Morocco, Madagascar and Sudan.

    Meanwhile, the Ghana Premier League will resume on December 18 with Hearts of Oak hoping to continue their impressive performance under the Serbian trainer.

  • Ghanaian forward Maxwell Boakye assists Ferroviario de Maputo in winning the Mozambique Cup

    Ghanaian forward, Maxwell Boakye and Ferroviario de Maputo have won the Mozambique Cup by defeating Ferroviario de Beira in the championship match.

    The former Hearts of Oak striker began and played for 86 minutes as his team defeated their rival 1-0 to win the championship on Sunday.

    Boakye assisted the only goal of the much-anticipated clash as his side cruised to victory.

     

    The forward will feature in the CAF Confederations Cup next season following his sides triumph in the Mozambique Cup.

    Boakye who joined the Mozambique outfit in the summer window has scored ten goals and provided five assists in 18 games so far.

    The former Karela United striker also has four man of the match awards, which is a clear indication of his outstanding performance in Mozambique.

  • CHAN 2023: Black Galaxies defeated Hearts of Oak 2-1 in a friendly ahead of tournament

    Hearts of Oak were defeated by Ghana’s Black Galaxies in a practice match for the 2023 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) competition in Algeria.

    On Sunday at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, Prampram, the Ghana Premier League heavyweights took the lead through Yaw Amankwa Baafi, but the local Black Stars rallied to upset the Phobians.

    The match was preparatory game for the home-based national team players ahead of the CHAN tournament in the North African country.

    Ghana is in Group C where they face defending champions Morocco, Sudan and Madagascar.

     

     

    Annor Walker and his charged are keen on making impact at the tournament set to commence on January 13.

    Ghana will open their account against Madagascar on January 15.

    Meanwhile, Hearts of Oak also used the game to prepare their players ahead of the Ghana Premier League which continues immediately after the World Cup finals from December 19,2022.

    The Phobians take a trip to Nsoatre for their match day nine game against Nsoatreman FC.

  • Barnieh and Danlad to join the squad – Black Galaxies coach

    Black Galaxies head coach Annor Walker is expecting Hearts of Oak attacker Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim to join the group before the team leaves for a training tour.

    Although the reason for Barnieh’s absence from the CHAN team is uncertain, Annor Walker claimed in an interview with the GFA communications that Danlad was sick and had been admitted to the hospital after the World Cup.

    Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Danlad Ibrahim were part of the 26 man Black Stars squad that exited the 2022 World Cup on December 2nd.

    “Barnie and Danlad are already part of the team before they were invited to the Black Stars to travel to Qatar for the World Cup and I am told they are in town. But this morning, I heard Danlad is ill and has been admitted to the hospital,” he said.

    “So seriously, I am expecting them to report to camp when Danlad is okay. For Barnie I don’t know about his condition but I am expecting them to join us here so that we can all work together before we move outside Ghana,”

  • Ex-Hearts of Oak boss Samuel Boadu set to be named U-20 coach – Reports

    Samuel Boadu, a former head coach of Hearts of Oak is expected to be named the new Black Satellites coach according to reports

    Following a rocky start to the 2022–23 Ghana Premier League season, Boadu and the Rainbow Club parted ways amicably. Since then, he has been without a club.

    He was part of the four local coaches that joined the Black Stars for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar for an attachment.

    According to multiple media reports, the former Medeama SC boss will replace Abdul-Karim Zito as the new Black Satellites coach.

    Boadu burst onto the scene after winning five major trophies with the Phobians after his two and half years stay with the club.

  • 2022/23 GPL: Hearts of Oak coach Slavko Matic disappointed with Dreams FC draw

    Hearts of Oak head coach Slavko Matic was left frustrated after a 2-2 draw against Dreams FC on match week eight of the Ghana Premier League.

    Dreams FC took a 2-0 lead before the Phobians came from behind to seal a point at the Accra Sports stadium.

    David William Van Dijk scored in the 14th minute before The Still Believe lads doubled their lead one minute after the recess.Hearts of Oak halved the deficit in the 75th minute before Benjamin Yorke scored the equalizer in added time after coming on a substitute for Rashid Okine in the 80th minute.

    Hearts of Oak head coach Slavko Matic was left frustrated after a 2-2 draw against Dreams FC on match week eight of the Ghana Premier League.

    Dreams FC took a 2-0 lead before the Phobians came from behind to seal a point at the Accra Sports stadium.

    David William Van Dijk scored in the 14th minute before The Still Believe lads doubled their lead one minute after the recess.

    Hearts of Oak halved the deficit in the 75th minute before Benjamin Yorke scored the equalizer in added time after coming on a substitute for Rashid Okine in the 80th minute.

    “The way and how we played, when you see result of 2-0, you just don’t believe, very cheap two goals,” coach Matic said after the game.“We cannot give opportunity to opponents like this, two half chances and they scored two goals without a chance but team spirit again was good.”

    “I said before the game, I will give opportunity to all players, young players played today and now we see, we miss experience.”

    “But in the end, I can say I must be satisfied when we scored the second goal in the last five minutes but want more.”

    “The way and how we played, when you see result of 2-0, you just don’t believe, very cheap two goals,” coach Matic said after the game.“We cannot give opportunity to opponents like this, two half chances and they scored two goals without a chance but team spirit again was good.”“I said before the game, I will give opportunity to all players, young players played today and now we see, we miss experience.”

    “But in the end, I can say I must be satisfied when we scored the second goal in the last five minutes but want more.”

  • Hearts of Oak beats Accra Lions 3-1 to end unbeaten run

    Accra Lions’ five-game winning streak has been ended after former champions Hearts of Oak defeated the league leaders 3-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    Gladson Awako’s powerful opener and second-half goals from Ibrahim Salifu and Benjamin Yorke ensured the Phobians, who were down by ten men for the most part of the game, collected all three points.

    Second-half substitute Seidu Bassist pulled one back for Accra Lions in the second half.

    In a fiercely contested game, Accra Lions started well and should have taken the after Redeemer Boateng’s freekick fell to Jacob Mensah whose cutback header was met by Mohammed Shawkan but the midfielder missed the opportunity.

    Heats had tried from long range through Gladson Awako and moments later Lions will surge forward again with talismanic winger Hagan Frimpong outwitting Dennis Korsah to send in a cross which evaded Shawkan before Daniel Awuni forced a great save from Richmond Ayi.

    Midway through the half, Awako received a pass from Salifu before thunderously powering home the opener.

    The Hearts of Oak captain was then sent off after a few minutes for showing dissent against the referee. He was first booked for fouling Frimpong but his reaction forced the referee to send him out.

    After the break, a mistake from Accra Lions captain Dominic Nsobila gifted Kwadwo Obeng the ball and in his bid to beat Andrew Owusu, the goalkeeper brought him down and a penalty was awarded. Ibrahim Salifu elected himself and made no mistake from the spot.

    With ten minutes remaining, second-half substitute Seidu Bassist pulled one back after heading home from a Redeemer Boateng corner.

    As Lions pushed for an equalizer, Hearts of Oak restored their two-goal lead after Benjamin Yorke fired in a shot which Owusu failed to grab.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • 2022/23 Ghana Premier League matchday 7: Hearts of Oak beat Accra Lions 3-1 with 10 men

    Hearts of Oak on Thursday afternoon labored with 10 men to cruise past Accra Lions with a 3-1 win in the Ghana Premier League.

    The Phobians today locked horns with their capital rivals at the Accra Sports Stadium to battle for points on matchday seven of the 2022/23 Ghanaian top-flight league campaign.

    Today, although Hearts of Oak did not have a good start, the team managed to grow into the game as the contest progressed.

    In the 22nd minute, highly-rated Gladson Awako pulled a rabbit out of a hat when he fired an unstoppable shot from distance.

    His effort went straight into the back of the net of Accra Lions as the goalkeeper watched on helplessly.

    While that goal would send the visitors into the break with a deserved lead, the team unfortunately had been reduced to ten men after a red card was shown to the goal scorer.

    Regardless, Hearts of Oak needed just three minutes in the second half to increase their lead.

    Salifu Ibrahim stepped up to take a penalty kick and converted from 12 yards to give his team a 2-goal lead.

    Although Seidu Bassit would score in the 79th minute to half the deficit for Accra Lions, Hearts of Oak secured an eventual 3-1 win thanks to a late strike from Benjamin Yorke.

  • 2022/23 GPL: Hearts of Oak coach Slavko Matic names 20-man squad for Accra Lions tie

    Hearts of Oak head coach Slavko Matic has announced his 20-man squad for their Ghana Premier League match week seven encounter against Accra Lions on Thursday.

    Coach Matic has dropped goalkeeper Eric Ofori Antwi, Yassan Ouatching and Daniel Kodie from the squad.

    Richard Attah returns to the team after sitting on the sidelines in the cub’s last three matches, replacing Eric Ofori Antwi.

    Daniel Afriyie Barnieh will miss the game due to his involvement with the Black Stars in Abu Dhabi after making the final World Cup squad.

    The Phobians will be looking to return to winning ways after drawing goalless with Karela United at the Accra Sports Satdium.

    Accra Lions, on the other hand, have yet to lose a game since their opening day defeat to Kotoku Royals at the Cape Coast stadium.

    Below is Hearts of Oak’s 20-man squad for the game.

    Goalkeepers: Richard Attah GK (30), Richmond Ayi GK (26)

    Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (22) , Fatawu Mohammed (2), Dennis Korsah (27), Rashid Okine (12) ,Mohammed Alhassan (15), Robert Addo Sowah (14), Konadu Yiadom (5)

    Midfielders: Jeordan Otanga (8), Eric Esso (35), Salifu Ibrahim (10), Seidu Suraj (39) ,Gideon Asante Dinho (29) Gladson Awako (11), Yaw Amankwah Baafi (7)

    Attackers: Kwadwo Obeng Junior (13), Benjamin Yorke (17), Junior Kaaba (19), Isaac Mensah (21)

  • World Cup 2022: I’m not surprised of Afriyie Barnieh’s inclusion in Ghana squad – Samuel Inkoom

    Former Ghana defender Samuel Inkoom says he was not surprised of Daniel Afriyie Barnieh’s inclusion in Ghana’s World Cup final squad.

    Barnieh, who been instrumental for the Phobians was included in the 26-man squad for the mundial released on Monday and will compete in his first World Cup with the Black Stars.

    The Black Meteors captain was among the two-home based players to have made Coach Otto Addo’s final 26-man squad for the tournament.

    Afriyie-Barnieh was with his teammates and coach when the squad was announced on Monday, November 14.

    According to Inkoom, Barnieh’s inclusion in the Black Stars did not come as a surprise to him due to his outstanding performance for Hearts of Oak.

    “I’m happy for him because you can see that he is doing very well and I’m surprised that he is in the squad. I think when you are doing a good job, you deserve to be honoured. In my opinion I am very happy for him but the most important thing is that he has to believe in himself, he has go there and show that he can do it and I believe he can do it”

    “He has a lot of potential but what he has to do is to stay focus, work hard and I think that the sky will be his limit” he said.

    Ghana will open their campaign against Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974 in Doha.

    Four days later, the Black Stars return to action with a clash with South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.

    Ghana will wrap up their group stage adventure with their much-anticipated encounter with Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.

    The Black Stars having missed out in the last edition hosted in Russia in 2018 will be hoping to improve their performance in Qatar after exiting the group phase during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

    Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.

    Ghana will be hoping to progress from the group stage at this year’s tournament.

  • Somebody called to enquire about ‘appearance fee’ to see Bawumia – Dr. Gideon Boako

    Dr. Gideon Boako, the spokesperson for the Vice President, has indicated that somebody contacted him earlier this year, claiming to be an investor and wanted to enquire about the ‘appearance fee’ to meet his boss, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

    According to him, he did not probe further to know the background of the investor “because it was of no interest to me.”

    Dr. Gideon Boako while speaking on Asempa FM’s ‘Ekosii Sen’ programme on Monday, November 14 stated that he spoke to the investor on phone.

    “The exact day, I may not be able to tell, but they contacted me this year, 2022. I laughed and asked, an appearance fee? Why? is it that Kotoko and Hearts of Oak are going to have a super clash,” he said while laughing.

    Dr Gideon Boako further stated that the supposed investor asked whether the ‘appearance fee’ is a norm, to which he replied, “no, that cannot happen. If that was the case, then I am not a poor man. I told them the Vice President as I know him, will never entertain such a thing. If you are his staff and entertain such a thing, you do that at your own risk.

    “I told them that well, I do not know that person, but I will say categorically that the person did that on his own behalf and not on behalf of the Vice President because as far as I know the Vice President, it will never happen.

    “I said to them that if the Vice President gets to know of that, he will recommend for the person to be questioned by the security agencies. It was only yesterday that Tiger Eye revealed the name of the person they were talking about,” Dr. Boako explained further.

    Charles Adu Boahen, the dismissed Minister of State in charge of Finance had earlier alleged that the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will require $200,000 as an appearance fee to meet prospective investors.

    This was revealed by Anas Aremeyaw Anas in his latest undercover documentary dubbed “Galamsey Economy”.

    The investigative journalist noted that Adu Boahen, in the undercover piece told his Tiger Eye PI team who posed as investors that Dr. Bawumia would also require some positions from the investor for his siblings to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.

    But Dr. Bawumia in a statement on Monday, November 14, denied the accusations and called for an investigation into the allegations.

  • World Cup 2022: I hope Ghanaians will understand my decision – Black Stars coach Otto Addo

    Ghana coach, Otto Addo has called on Ghanaians to accept his final 26-man squad ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

    The 44-year-old trainer has announced Ghana’s final squad for the tournament slated for November 20 to December 18.

    However, Jojo Wollacott, Richard Ofori, and Baba Iddrisu are all out of the squad due to injuries.

    Meanwhile, Jeffrey Schlupp and Joseph Paintsil have been left out for various reasons.

    Addressing journalists after announcing his squad for the World Cup, Addo said: “It’s just a pity [that not all players can get into the team], but that’s just the way football is.

    “I have done my best and I hope everyone would understand just a little bit how we put our team together.”

    There are also debut call-ups for Abdul Salis Samed, Danlad Ibrahim, and Kamal Sowah, while Hearts of Oak’s Daniel Afriyie Barnieh is also included.

    The Black Stars will face a difficult test in Qatar, having been paired alongside Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea in Group H.

    Ghana will open the tournament against Portugal before taking on South Korea and will close the group with a clash against Uruguay.

    The four-time African champions will hope to put up a decent performance after exiting the group phase in Brazil in 2014.

    The Black Stars have opened camp today in Abu Dhabi and will take on Switzerland in a friendly game on November 17 before arriving in Doha on November 19.

  • Hearts of Oak midfielder Ibrahim Salifu delighted to be back from injury

    Hearts of Oak midfielder Ibrahim Salifu has expressed his happiness in returning from injury after several weeks of absence.

    The 22-year-old has been hampered by injuries since last season and missed the team’s opening game of the season against Aduana Stars which they lost.

    Salifu, who was key to Hearts’ league title triumph last two seasons made his return to the team in the goalless draw against Karela United at the Accra Sports stadium on match week six.

    “It’s good to be back after a long injury. We had a good game but not the result we wanted,” he said after the game.

     

    “Gradually, we shall get to the level Slavko Matic is demanding of us. We are focused on our next game.”

    Hearts of Oak have dropped to 10th on the league table after six matches played so far.

    The Phobians will take on league leaders Accra Lions on match week seven before the Premier League breaks for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

  • 2022/23 Ghana Premier League: Week 5 Match Report – Hearts of Oak and Karela United draw blank in Accra

    Hearts of Oak were unable to record their third consecutive win in the Ghana Premier League after sharing the spoils with Karela United on home turf.

    The Phobians entertained the Pride of the West at the Accra Sports Stadium in matchday 6 fixture.

    The reigning FA Cup Champions who had a season turn around under new trainer Slavko Matic were held to a pulsating 0-0 draw against Karela United on Sunday.

    Despite creating numerous scoring opportunities in the game, both teams were unable to find the back of the net.

    Hearts of Oak after a back to back wins against Bibiani Goldstars and Kotoku Royals hoped for a win but Karela united proved to be stronger side.

    Both teams went into the much-anticipating clash with victories in their previous league encounters.

    Hearts of Oak defeated Kotoku Royals 1-0 at away while Karela United inflicted a narrow win over Bechem United in matchday 6.

     

    Slavko Matic side currently sits 10th position on the league log with 9 points whiles Karela United occupies 7th spot with 10 points.

    The Ghana Premier League will go on a one month break for the 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar.

    The league is expected to bounce after the biggest soccer mundial in the Asian country.

  • It was like a cabinet meeting – Laryea Kingston on 2010 World Cup exclusion

    Former Ghana midfielder, Laryea Kingston has opened up on how his exclusion from the Ghana squad for the 2010 World Cup was communicated to him.

    Contrary to reports that Laryea got to know about his exclusion via radio, the former winger said that he was informed a day before the squad left for South Africa.

    Laryea said that he was called into a meeting that had some of the management members of the Black Stars. It was there that it dawned on him that he was not going to be on the plane to South Africa.

    The former Hearts of Oak winger said that as bad as the news was, he took it in his stride and walked away without causing scenes.

    He was disappointed as he felt that was the only chance he was ever going to get to play at the biggest football festival in the world.

    Laryea said on GhanaWeb’s Sports Check program that he gave up on national team football after the episode and decided to fully commit to club football.

    The winger who entertained Ghanaians with his flicks and passes said that he has channeled the disappointment into his coaching career and hopes to lead the Black Stars to the World Cup someday.

    Laryea despite the blot of not going to the World Cup, is confident that one day he will handle the team there.

    Source: Ghanaweb 

  • I don’t want my players to play under pressure – Hearts of Oak coach Slavko Matic

    Hearts of Oak head coach, Slavko Matic has commended the performance of his players since taking over.

    However, the Serbian tactician says he wants his players to shrug off any feeling of pressure and anxiety.

    According to him, his players are good and he wants them to play without feeling any pressure to ensure he gets the best out of them.

    “They don’t need to allow pressure to get to them. They only need to think of what we desire from them in each game,” Coach Slavko Matic said after guiding Hearst of Oak to defeat Kotoku Royals by a goal to nil.

     

    Meanwhile, Coach Slavko Matic has disclosed that his team will go into the next Ghana Premier League match against Karela United with a different game plan.

    “There is a team plan for every match depending on the opponent. Lots of goal scoring chances were created and yet we failed to utilize them. Tactically it isn’t good so we have to keep working on every aspect of our play.

    “We always have to show winning mentality. The opponent created some decent chances but the good thing is that we prevented them from scoring and fought till the end,” Coach Slavko Matic shared.

  • There is a team plan for every match, says Hearts of Oak head coach Slavko Matic

    Hearts of Oak head coach, Slavko Matic has disclosed that his team will go into the next Ghana Premier League match against Karela United with a different game plan.

    According to the gaffer, he is still working on his team to get the best out of his squad.

    Speaking in a post-match interview after guiding Hearts of Oak to beat Kotoku Royals last Saturday, Coach Slavko Matic says his team has a plan for every game depending on the kind of opponent.

    “We are still working on our team progress. There is more to be done and it is only hard work that will get us there.

     

    “There is a team plan for every match depending on the opponent. Lots of goal-scoring chances were created and yet we failed to utilize them. Tactically it isn’t good so we have to keep working on every aspect of our play. We always have to show winning mentality. The opponent created some decent chances but the good thing is that we prevented them from scoring and fought till the end,” Coach Slavko Matic shared.

    Hearts of Oak face off with Karela United next weekend and will be hoping to make it three wins in a row.

  • Slavko Matic: Hearts of Oak head coach praises players for showing great character to beat Kotoku Royals

    Head coach of Hearts of Oak, Slavko Matic has indicated that he was happy with his team’s narrow win over Kotoku Royals over the past weekend.

    The Phobians last Saturday locked horns with their matchday five opponent of the Ghana Premier League season.

    Courtesy of a solitary strike from Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, the Phobians secured a 1-0 win against the opponent.

    Speaking after the game, head coach Slavko Matic admitted that it was a very tough game.

    He however commended his player for showing character and fighting to finish the game with a victory.

     

    “Collectively it was a good team performance, show of character and discipline. The first-half performance was better than the second.  We must improve upon that.

    “I must admit it was a very difficult match but the players showed good character and determination and fought till the end to give us the maximum points,” the Serbian tactician shared.

    In the upcoming weekend, Hearts of Oak will take on Karela United in what will be a tough encounter.

  • Former Asante Kotoko captain Felix Annan explains why he didn’t join Hearts of Oak

    Former Asante Kotoko captain, Felix Annan has explained why he turned down a move to Hearts of Oak after leaving the Porcupine Warriors.

    Annan, who joined the Porcupine Warriors as a teenager in 2011 departed the club middle of this year over lack of playing time.

    In an interview with Kumasi-based Opemsuo Radio, the 27-year-old who now plies his trade in America confirmed rejecting an opportunity to join Hearts of Oak.

    Explaining why he didn’t accept a move to Hearts of Oak, Annan was of the opinion he had seen it all locally and for that matter, needed a change elsewhere.

    According to him, he wanted a new challenge

     

    “Almost every club in the Ghana Premier League wanted me to play for them when I announced my exit from Kotoko, including Hearts of Oak,” he confirmed.

    “I declined the numerous calls from the local clubs because I wanted a new environment outside Ghana. I felt I had given and proved myself enough and there was nothing to prove anywhere again in Ghana.”

    Felix Annan enjoyed a remarkable season with his new club, Maryland Bobcats. He was in post for 20 matches and kept 8 clean sheets for his side.

  • Kotoku Royals coach Seth Ablade blames strikers for Hearts of Oak loss

    Head coach of Kotoku Royals, Seth Ablade has blamed his side for the 1-0 defeat to Hearts of Oak on match week five of the Ghana Premier League.

    Daniel Afriyie Barnieh scored from the spot to give the Phobians’ the maximum points in Cape Coast as they secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

    However, coach Ablade believes the outcome could’ve been different if his strikers had made good use of their chances.

    “I am happy about the way the players played today. I think the only thing we need to do better is the quality upfront that is what killed us today,” he said after the game.

    The defeat sees Kotoku Royals drop to 16th on the league table after five matches played so far.

    Kotoku Royals will travel to Kumasi to take on bottom-placed King Faisal at the Baba Yara stadium on match week six of the on-going Ghana Premier League.

    Source: Football Ghana

  • Hearts coach Slavko Matic excited at developing partnership between Gladson Awako and Salifu Ibrahim

    Slavko Matic, the head coach of Hearts of Oak, has expressed his happiness with the combination that Gladson Awako and Salifu Ibrahim are forming at the team this year.

    Matic claimed that he wanted to create a team where there would be competition for positions so that players wouldn’t feel too comfortable playing in a particular role or with a particular player.

    Daniel Afriyie Barnieh converted the penalty to score the Phobians’ only goal of the game as they defeated Kotoku Royals to secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

     

    “I want to bring competition in the team, I have said I want to get a better option for us, we have a lot of games and every player would play.”

    “We want to try the best combination for each game, you saw Gladson Awako and Salifu Ibrahim in the first half with the best combination”, he said after the game.

  • I am very disappointed with the result against Hearts of Oak – Seth Ablade

    Seth Ablade, the head coach of the Kotoku Royals, is not pleased with the outcome against Hearts of Oak. 
    He feels that the decision is unfair and that they should have received at least a point from the encounter.
    Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, a danger man for Hearts of Oak, converted the game’s lone penalty shot on Saturday at Cape Coast Stadium.

    Seth Ablade claims his team should have gotten a penalty in the encounter with the Phobians. He added that despite the defeat he is happy with the overall effort of his players against a top side like Hearts.

    “I am happy about the way the players played today. I think the only thing we need to do better is the quality upfront that is what killed us today. I am disappointed because the penalty was too easy. We should have gotten something out of this game,” he said after the game.

    Kotoku Royals is 16th on the Ghana Premier League table with four points after five games.

  • My players should run more says Hearts of Oak coach Slavko Matic

    Slavko Matic, the head coach of Hearts of Oak, wants his players to run with the ball. When his team had the ball during their match against Kotoku Royals in match week five, Matic was not pleased.

    Daniel Afriyie Barnieh scored the game’s sole goal, converting a penalty to earn the Phobians their first back-to-back victories of the year.

    Hearts of Oak moved up to seventh place in the league rankings, but coach Matic was not pleased with his team’s performance in a post-match interview.

     

    “We must play more with the ball like we did in the first half. We created more chances in the second half but we sat back a little we should have changed the system and formation but we did what is necessary for the team,” he said after the game.

    “We did what is good which is to keep a clean sheet, but for a better performance for the team, I think we should run more with the ball.”

  • Hearts coach Slavko Matic excited at developing partnership between Gladson Awako and Salifu Ibrahim

    Hearts of Oak head coach Slavko Matic has expressed his satisfaction at the developing partnership between Gladson Awako and Salifu Ibrahim at the club this season.

    According to Matic, he was looking at introducing competition into the team where players wound not feel too comfortable playing in a specific role or with a particular player, but wanted to develop a team where there would be competition for positions.

    Daniel Afriyie Barnieh converted the penalty to score the Phobians’ only goal of the game as they defeated Kotoku Royals to secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

     

    “I want to bring competition in the team, I have said I want to get a better option for us, we have a lot of games and every player would play.”

    “We want to try the best combination for each game, you saw Gladson Awako and Salifu Ibrahim in the first half with the best combination”, he said after the game.

     

  • 2022 World Cup: Hearts of Oak duo Afriyie Barnieh and Denis Korsah named in Black Stars provisional squad

    Hearts of Oak duo of Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Denis Korsah have been named in the 55-man Black Stars provisional squad ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.

    The Black Stars is returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018, where France emerged as winners.

    Ghana has been housed in Group H at the mundial against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.

    The Black Stars will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 before taking on Uruguay and South Korea respectively.

    The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in Qatar.

     

    vvvv

    Ghana coach Otto Addo on Friday announced his provisional list, with Barnieh and Korsah making up the squad.

    Otto Addo is expected to trim the squad to 26 for the World Cup in the Asian country.

    The Black Stars will take on Switzerland on November 17 before the start of the tournament on November 20.

    Source: Footballghana

  • Hearts of Oak to appoint Dong Bortey as member of technical team

    Hearts of Oak are set to appoint club legend Bernard Dong-Bortey as a member of the technical team, as the Phobians look to step up the rebuilding process.

    Dong-Bortey made over 100 appearances for the Accra club and was instrumental in the club winning four league titles and the CAF Confederation Cup. He was a joint topscorer of the leadue in 2002.

    Phobianews. com can exclusively reveal that, a deal to draft Bortey in the technical team is near completion, although an announcement is not expected to be made any moment now.

    Bortey was earlier today sighted at the club training ground heavily involved in the activities of the technical team.

    The Phobians recently appointed Serbian gaffer Slavko Matic as the head of the technical team.

  • We conceded a cheap goal against Gold Stars – Slavko Matic

    Hearts of Oak coach Slavko Matic has stated that his side conceded a cheap goal against Bibiani Gold Stars on Saturday afternoon.

    The Accra-based club won 2-1, their first win in the ongoing Ghana Premier League. The Phobians won after second-half goals from Isaac Mensah and Gladson Awako.

    “You saw Bibiani from first minute they start to waste our time they didn’t play forty minutes today anti football. Football win today and character of my players before this game they feel pressure of course and when you receive this cheap very cheap goal somethings start to be more difficult for us,” he said after the game.

    “But I think we had a very good meeting on the half after the goal we change formation from 4-4-2 to 3-4 and we score second goal and we go back to 4-2-3-1. Tactically we make good things the most important thing and it is really good for my players. We must continue to work hard to play because every game will be like this,”

     

    Hearts of Oak are presently 1oth in the league with five points.

    In their next Ghana Premier League match, they will travel to the Cape Coast Sports Stadium to face newcomers Kotoku Royals.

    Source: Footballghana

  • Slavko Matic announces Hearts of Oak starting XI for Bibiani Gold Stars clash

    Slavko Matic has announced Hearts of Oak starting line up against Babiani Gold Stars in the matchday four fixtures.

    The Pbobians are hosting Gold Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium later this afternoon with kick off scheduled at 15:00GMT.

    Matic has made changes in his team for the all-important fixture against Goldstars with Robert Addo Sowah and Gideon Asante earning starting berth with Kwadwo Obeng Junior.

    Hearts of Oak are hoping for a resounding victory over Bibiani Goldstars to record their maiden win in the ongoing Ghana Premier League season.

    The reigning FA Cup champions are yet to record a win after three games played in the 2022/23 football season.

    Below is the Hearts of Oak line up against Bibiani Goldstars

    • Richmond Ayi (GK)
    • Samuel Inkoom
    • Dennis Korsah
    • Robert Addo Sowah
    • Konadu Yiadom
    • Caleb Amankwah
    • Eric Esso
    • Gideon Asante
    • Gladson Awako
    • Yassan Ouatching
    • Kwadwo Obeng Jnr

  • Sulley Muntari opens up on why he refused to extend Hearts of Oak stay

    Sulley Muntari has open on why he did not renew his contract with Hearts of Oak.

    The former Black Stars midfielder signed a six-month deal with the Ghana Premier League heavyweight during the 2021/22 season.

    Muntari was a gem for the side as he assisted the side to win the President’s Cup and the FA Cup against Asante Kotoko and Bechem United respectively.

    However, the former Inter Milan and AC Milan ace refused to extend his stay with the club ahead of the 2022/23 football season.

    According to Muntari, he did not want to disgrace himself and put a dent on his legacy after his suggestions on how to improve the squad for their African campaign proved futile.

    “Yeah, I had a few talks with them (Kotoko) I spoke to some board members because I wanted to help them in Africa. (But) I was with Hearts of Oak at that time,” he told Dan Kweku Yeboah TV.

    “My contract had run out and I was talking with them to build a very, very strong team. I didn’t want to go and disgrace myself in the African campaign.

    “If you qualify for the CAF Champions League or any other CAF competition or even Europe, you prepare for that. You augment the squad that you qualified with some good players and build the team.

    “So I was talking with Hearts to build the team but the management had different ideas. And if someone has a different idea, although you tell them to do stuff, if they don’t want to do it, you don’t push it.

    “I’ll tell you the truth, I didn’t want to go and disgrace myself. And I know I’ve really worked hard in terms of football, so for me to come and let some little things wipe all the work that I’ve done, no. I won’t do it, no. So I was talking with Kotoko about the same(thing),” he added.

    Source: Footballghana

  • Sulley Muntari reveals why he left Hearts of Oak and rejected Asante Kotoko

    Sulley Muntari declined to extend his contract with the Phobians after helping Accra Hearts of Oak win the FA Cup and enabling the team qualify for the 2022–2023 CAF Confederations Cup.

    The six-month contract with Hearts was terminated after contract renewal negotiations fell through.

    The former AC Milan and Inter Milan player has at last revealed the rationale for his decision to decline Hearts’ contract renewal.

    According to Muntari, he did not want to disgrace himself and put a dent on his legacy after his suggestions on how to improve the squad for their African campaign proved futile.

    Speaking to Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV, Muntari who was close to joining Hearts’ rivals Asante Kotoko after failed talks with the Phobians said both clubs did not want to build their team the European way.

    “Yeah, I had a few talks with them(Kotoko) I spoke to some board members because I wanted to help them in Africa. (But) I was with Hearts of Oak at that time. My contract had run out and I was talking with them to build a very, very strong team. I didn’t want to go and disgrace myself in the African campaign. If you qualify for the CAF Champions League or any other CAF competition or even Europe, you prepare for that. You augment the squad that you qualified with some good players and build the team.”

    “So I was talking with Hearts to build the team but the management had different ideas. And if someone has a different idea, although you tell them to do stuff, if they don’t want to do it, you don’t push it. I’ll tell you the truth, I didn’t want to go and disgrace myself. And I know I’ve really worked hard in terms of football, so for me to come and let some little things wipe all the work that I’ve done, no. I won’t do it, no. So I was talking with Kotoko about the same(thing),” he added.

    He clarified that his attempt to join Kotoko was not because Hearts failed to adopt his suggested models.

    “It is not because Hearts didn’t do as I said that’s why I wanted to go to Kotoko, no. But even if it’s second division, it’s the same mentality I would come up with, so you can build a strong team. Because the moment you build a strong team, the following year you can sell two or three players then you get money then you build the team again. Most of the teams we played in Europe that’s what they do.”

    Both Hearts of Oak and Kotoko got kicked out of their respective African campaigns after their first games.

    Asante Kotoko lost 4-3 on penalties to Burkinabe side RC Kadiogo in the first round of the CAF Champions League while Hearts lost 3-1 on aggregate to Malian side, AS Bamako in the CAF Confederations Cup.

  • I had a very good time with Hearts of Oak – Sulley Muntari

    Former Ghana International Sulley Ali Muntari has opened up on his short stint with Ghanaian giants, Hearts of Oak, saying he had a good time with the club.

    The former AC Milan and Inter Milan star featured for the Phobians last season on a short term deal.

    Muntari won two trophies with the Phobians, the President’s Cup and the MTN FA Cup in the 2021/22 season.

    The former Black Stars midfielder left the club after his contract expired at the end of the season.

    Speaking to Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV, the tough-tackling midfielder expressed he had a good time with the Phobians.

    “The reason why I went [to Hearts of Oak] is that my son wanted to watch me play. After two games I failed to score and he said he won’t come [and watch me play] again. But I had a very good time with Hearts of Oak so it was very good.” He said.

     

    He was at the Accra Sports Stadium to support Hearts of Oak against Real Bamako of Mali in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round.

    Muntari, was hoping his former side could overturn the 3-0 defeat in the first leg to qualify ahead of the Malians.

    Hearts of Oak managed to secure a win at home through Caleb Amankwah’s 90th minute strike but wasn’t enough to secure them qualification to the next round.

  • Back to what we love most – Jerome Otchere writes

    I decline to go into the merits or demerits of whatever necessitated the suspension of the betPawa Premier League.

    The issues are well known. Therefore instead of being on what would be a needlessly tiresome recall of Ashantigold’s troubles and the court issues, energies would be expended well in sharing my joy over the league’s comeback.

    I’m glad because this is the game we love and having it hanging in court, not knowing its return was a pain. Our football has suffered too from legal tussles and how disappointing it was that, just when we were navigating safely from that pit, a stump pulled us back.

    We’re back now to continue from match day four. Clubs were picking up good momentum, others were finding their balance mid-table and the rest set up their camps well not to drop too deep into the lower ranks. The suspension denied us the chance to see for instance if Hearts of Oak’s difficulties would’ve lasted longer and indeed whether Asante Kotoko’s title retention quest would’ve been boosted with more wins.

    Three match days and it was still too early to see the real shape of the new entrants. Now, hopefully, we can have a full view of their form game after game. If there was anything clear enough, it was the fact that we were in for some exciting matches and a good dose of the inevitable refereeing controversies. They would come anyway now that the league is back and we should all learn to put up good conduct at matches.

    Outside matches, in the media terrain, we’ve to be responsible in our commentaries. Here, I respond to some Kotoko fans. Take note that, I’ve written and highlighted the positives of the Nana Yaw Amponsah-led Management more than anyone I can think of. I would neither waste time trading insults nor malign anyone. I subscribe to everything Kotoko and make necessary contributions to the club. You can’t change that.

    I’ve to state without fear of contradiction that calling me names because I criticise or disagree with what has the tendency to adversely affect the club’s reputation or the management’s good work, wouldn’t restrain me from acting with conviction as always in my commentaries. No sane, well-trained, properly mannered, civilised journalist; talk less as young as I’m, would waste precious time on negative, unproductive agenda.

    I would defend Kotoko’s interest, the Board and the Management purely as a matter of principle but then based on factual analysis as a journalist. Cheap, vile propaganda coupled with wanton disregard for common sense would intimidate no one. Let’s return to what we love most for it’s back. The betPawa Premier League is back and Kotoko are in action on Monday against King Faisal! Fabulous!

    Source: Footballghana

  • Hearts of Oak coach Slavko Matic holds first training session

    Hearts of Oak coach Slavko Matic took charge of his first training on Sunday, October 23, 2022, since he was appointed last week.

    Matic supervised the team’s first training session ahead of the likely resumption of the Ghana Premier League.

    The 46-year-old took over from Samuel Boadu who parted ways with the Phobians ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup qualifiers against AS Real Bamako on a two-year deal.

    Hearts of Oak have began residential camping in the Eastern region in bid to get in the best of shapes when the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League resumes.

    The topflight still remains suspended after an Accra High court adjourned the injunction case again to Monday, October 24, 2022.

    The GFA put the Premier League on hold on September 29, 2022 after a Motion on Notice for Injunction filed at the Human Rights High Court by Ashanti Gold SC and served on the GFA’s lawyers.

    Ashanti Gold were demoted to the Division Two League after being found Guilty of Match Manipulation in their 2020/21 Ghana Premier League Matchday 34 game against Inter Allies FC.

    Hearts of Oak are yet to win a game this season, having lost one and drawn two of the three matches played this season.

    The Phobians are 14th on the league table with two points after three matches.

    Source: Football Ghana

     

  • Hearts of Oak must have a plan to win African trophy – Ex-assistant coach Hamza Obeng

    Former Hearts of Oak assistant coach, Hamzah Obeng says his side’s former side needs a deliberate plan to be able to dominate African football again.

    Hearts of Oak among other Ghanaian clubs have failed to leave a mark in continental in recent times.

    Speaking on the consistent failures of clubs from Ghana, Hamzah Obeng reiterated that clubs who can win the competition have good foundations which are built on projects they invest huge resources.

    “Other countries take the Africa Inter Club Competition as a project. Things have changed in the world of football. Football goes beyond what see on the field of play,” Hamzah told Takoradi-based Connect FM.

    “Some clubs groom players for some time. WAC had a project which had lasted for 10 years.”

    Hamzah who was part of Hearts of Oak’s technical team in their Africa campaign last season added that inadequate preparation over the years has also affected the performance of Ghanaian clubs.

    “Football is not luck but preparation, if the opponent prepares well and you face them, you will realize the difference.

    “If Hearts of Oak were able to maintain the team which won them the league two seasons ago, we would have seen the difference in their performance,” he added.

    Source: Footballghana

  • Pressure mounts on Odotei and Akambi after Hearts of Oak’s exit from CAF Confederation Cup

    Hearts of Oak on Sunday, October 16, suffered elimination from the CAF Confederation Cup.

    This was regardless of the team’s narrow 1-0 win over AS Real Bamako in the second leg of the tie in the second preliminary round of the competition.

    Due to a 3-0 defeat from the first leg, Hearts of Oak crashed out of the CAF Confederation Cup on the back of a 3-1 aggregate defeat.

    After the game, supporters of Hearts of Oak held board members Vincent Odotei Sowah and Alhaji Akambi hostage, accusing the duo of being the cause of the club’s woes.

    Some fans yesterday went to the extreme by deflating the car tyres of Vicent Odotei Sowah.

    Twelve hours later, fans are mounting pressure on the two board members to step aside for others to take charge of the running of the club.

    A section of the fans also wants club board chairman Togbe Afede XIV to be blamed for the woes of the club.

    Amid the bashing directed the way of Vincent Odotei Sowah and Alhaji Akambi, some fans are calling for the appointment of coach Samuel Boadu.

    It is the belief that the club erred in sacking the gaffer who had led the club to five trophies in just 18 months.

    Source: Footballghana

  • Hearts of Oak National Chapters Committee to hold press conference after Confederations Cup exit

    Hearts of Oak National Chapters Committee will hold a press conference on Monday, October 17, 2022, at 3:30 pm to address some pressing issues following the club’s elimination from the CAF Confederations Cup.

    The press conference will be addressed by NCC Chairman Elvis Hermann Hesse, who reportedly had an altercation with board member Vincent Sowah Odotei after the game on Sunday.

    The Phobians were eliminated from the Confederation Cup by Malian side Real Bamako on Sunday after failing to overturn the 3-0 defeat they suffered against the Malians a week ago in the first leg.

    Caleb Amankwah scored the only goal of the game as Hearts of Oak managed to beat Real Bamako at the Accra Sports Stadium in the second leg as the game ended 3-1 on aggregate after the two legs.

    The fans are unhappy about their early exit from Africa, and the National Chapters Committee (NCC) has called a press conference to air their grievances.

    Some irate fans of the club held top officials Vincent Sowah Odotei and Alhaji Braimah Moro at the Stadium following the side’s exit from the Confederation Cup.

    The livid fansalso flattened the car tyre of the embattled club officials.

    The two controversial officials were held under tight police security at the stadium as numbers grow for their heads.

    Sowah Odotei and Alhaji Moro popularly referred to as Akanbi have come under mounting pressure following the sacking of coach Samuel Boadu.

    The fans have accused the duo of masterminding the exit of the former Medeama gaffer who won 5 major titles in 18 months.

    Source: Footballghana

  • Hearts of Oak to hold emergency meeting after Confederations Cup exit

    The Majority Shareholder of Hearts of Oak, Togbe Afede XIV will hold an emergency meeting involving the board of directors, management, and the supporter’s leadership.

    The business mogul cum traditional ruler is said to be unhappy about the recent happenings in the team and has therefore called for an emergency meeting to resolve the issues at stake following the club’s elimination from the CAF Confederations Cup.

    The Phobians were eliminated from the Confederation Cup by Malian side Real Bamako on Sunday after failing to overturn the 3-0 defeat they suffered against the Malians a week ago in the first leg.

    Caleb Amankwah scored the only goal of the game as Hearts of Oak managed to beat Real Bamako at the Accra Sports Stadium in the second leg as the game ended 3-1 on aggregate after the two legs.

    After the game, some irate fans of the club held top officials Vincent Sowah Odotei and Alhaji Braimah Moro at the Stadium following the side’s exit from the Confederation Cup.

    The livid fansalso flattened the car tyre of the embattled club officials.

    The two controversial officials were held under tight police security at the stadium as numbers grow for their heads.

    Sowah Odotei and Alhaji Moro popularly referred to as Akanbi have come under mounting pressure following the sacking of coach Samuel Boadu.

    The fans have accused the duo of masterminding the exit of the former Medeama gaffer who won 5 major titles in 18 months.

    As a result, the club’s board chairman has decided to hold an emergency meeting with hierarchy of the club to put things in order.

    The emergency meeting has been set for Tuesday, October 18, 2022.

    Source: Footballghana

  • Hearts of Oak Supporters chief Hesse blames Togbe Afede XIV for club woes

    Hearts of Oak Supporters chief Elvis Hermann Hesse, has blamed the Board Chairman of the club, Togbe Afede XIV for the cclub’s current struggles.

    The Pbobians were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup qualifiers despite beating AS Real Bamako 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

    Hearts needed to overturn a three goal deficit from the first leg in Mali but struggled to find the back of the net, until the 89th when Caleb Amankwah scored the game’s only goal.

    After the game come angry fans attacked board member, Vincent Odotei-Sowah’s car at the stadium with images surfing up on social media.

    “The Board Chairman is running the club directly and Odotei and Akambi are just messengers”, Hesse told Happy FM.

     

    “The Board chairman should take all the blame if he gets all the accolades. If Akambi and Odotei are good he should take them to his private businesses and swap them with Hearts of Oak. The supporters cannot always be wrong.”

    Hearts of Oak will switched their attention to the Ghana Premier League after their elimination from the CAF inter-club competition.

    Hearts are 14th on the league table with two points after three matches played so far in the suspended Ghana Premier League

    Source: Footballghana

     

  • Angry Hearts of Oak fans go after Vincent Odotei Sowah; deflates his car tie

    Some Hearts of Oak fans on Sunday evening went after board member Vincent Odotei Sowah.

    The incident which happened after the club’s win against AS Real Bamako ended with the car tire of the Hearts of Oak board member being deflated.

    The irate fans took the unlawful path with a protest that they are unhappy with how Vincent Odotei Sowah and other members of the board are handling the club.

    Fans are aggrieved about the decision to sack head coach Samuel Boadu after the gaffer led the club to five trophies in just 18 months.

    The supporters blame Vincent Odotei Sowah and Alhaji Akambi for the club’s inability to progress to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

    Despite the 1-0 win against AS Real Bamako today, Hearts of Oak have still crashed out of the tournament on the back of a 3-1 aggregate defeat.

    Source: Footballghana

  • Hearts of Oak bosses Vincent Sowah Odotei and Elvis Herman Hesse clash over CAF Confederations Cup elimination

    Hearts of Oak officials clashed at the Accra Sports Stadium following their elimination from the CAF Confederations Cup on Sunday.

    Having suffered a 3-0 defeat in the first leg of the second round of games against ASR Bamako, the Ghana Premier League giants were hoping to overturn the scoreline.

    However, Caleb Amankwah scored a late to end the game 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    Despite the win, the reigning FA Cup champions have been eliminated after the two tie ended 3-1 in favor of the Malian side.

    But at the VVIP area, the National Chapters Committee chairman of the club, Elvis Herman Hesse was seen confronting Board Member, Vincent Sowah Odotei .

    It is unknown what triggered the disagreement and the exchange of words in the VVIP area but it appears that Herman Hesse is not happy about something.

    Video below:

    Ghana now has no representative in Africa. Last month, Asante Kotoko also crashed out of the CAF Champions League.

    The elimination means Hearts of Oak will now turn their attention to the Ghana Premier League where they sit 13th with just two points.

    Source: Footballghana