Hearts of Oak deploy off-the-pitch disciplinary tactics to steal points from Great Olympics amid brightening Ghana Premier League chances
The Ghana Premier League title has eluded Hearts of Oak since 2008/2009 season but the Accra based side have showed intentions of breaking the 12-year drought this season.
They led the table with two points before their recent clash with regional rivals Great Olympics where their five consecutive previous victories fired them past Asante Kotoko to the submit.
Their title hopes have been dealt a huge blow before matchday 29 fixtures when their main competitors Kotoko stole slim victory over Ash Gold in week 28 while Hearts were forced to a 1-1 draw by Great Olympics.
Though they still lead the table with superior goal difference over Kotoko, Hearts of Oak have found a different solution to their stalemate against their regional rivals.
They heavily know that the draw would hamper their chances of winning this season’s Ghana Premier League where they have filed a protest against Olympics- which if won, it would fetch the Accra based side all three points to boost the position on the Ghana Premier League table.
Hearts’ petition which was filed to the GFA Disciplinary Committee on Monday accused Olympics for fielding unqualified player Joshua K. Rhule who started the game at Accra Sports Stadium.
It has been revealed by Joy Sports that Hearts filed the petition under the suspicion that the player in question – Rhule, may not have the required certification for a change in name.
The player who now identifies himself as Joshua Kwame Rhule was christened, Mervyn Koomson, but has undergone a change of name on three different occasions – twice recognized in football.
Rhule played for Santos in the National First Division during the 2016/17 season, under the name Koomson Biney. He featured in seven games, for Santos failing to score or register any assist.
Rhule under the same name of ‘Koomson Biney’ went on to play in Benin’s first division, where he played as a midfielder for Dragons in the 2019/20 season. That season in Benin was however curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The player was then signed by Accra Great Olympics during the second transfer window of the current Ghana Premier League season, as Joshua Kwame Rhule and registered with squad number, 39.
Premier League leaders are confident the player in question failed to complete processes to obtain legal certification for a change in name before the transfer window closed.
Per Article 33 of the Ghana Football Association Premier League Regulations, a team commits an offence punishable by forfeiture of a match where that team fields an unqualified player.
Should Hearts’ accusations hold, Olympics are set to lose the point gained from yesterday’s game while Hearts of Oak will be awarded three goals and maximum points
