The one thing Hearts of Oak need to do to be revived
Hearts of Oak need to be revived after their humiliation in the Caf Confederation Cup by Malian side AS Real Bamako. After struggles in continental and domestic campaigns, Hearts of Oak need a new technical leadership to be revived.
The former Ghana Premier League champions lost 3-1 aggregate after failing to overturn a Caf Confederation Cup first leg 3-0 score line in a 1-0 win against Real Bamako at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The African exit has increased already existing tension from the sack of former boss Samuel Boadu while two officials Sowah Odotei and Alhaji Akanbi together with club Chairman Togbe Afede are in the media.
Boadu is currently under severe criticisms for unprofessional conduct after been seen at Hearts’ touchline waving fans in Sunday’s victory over the Malian outfit.
Despite his condemned action, Samuel Boadu is one of the favourites to be named Hearts of Oak coach that will mark his return to the club in a couple of weeks after been fired following Ghana Premier League week 3 draw against Asante Kotoko.
Hearts is in a fragile state with low team and individual football spirit. And what is the more problem is that the FA Cup champions is stuck in the processes for revival. But to get revived, there is one big step the Rainbow club need to make.
That comes with appointing not just a coach but a master class tactician. Arguably, Hearts of Oak is the most matured side in the Ghana Premier League after keeping their setup for a long period of time.
The setup has also settled in well more precisely under Samuel Boadu who won 2 FA Cup titles and the Ghana Premier League before he left. Hearts have played some great football over the last four years as the core maintained, and were playing some good showpiece before the Ghana Premier League was finally suspended.
They have failed to pick victory in the first three League games this season. They were beaten 1-0 by Aduana Stars in opening day before managing draws against Great Olympics and Asante Kotoko.
With the Ghana Premier League placed under suspension so far, Hearts of Oak need to appoint a permanent head coach before the campaign resumes. Unlike their rivals Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak have not benefited from suspension friendly games that would have given a good assessment of work done by David Ocloo who was appointed as an assistant coach ahead of their ended African campaign.
A host of coaches have been linked including Ghanaian elites C.K Akonnor, Annor Walker, Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum and a potential Samuel Boadu return.
Outside Ghana, there is the likelihood that Hearts of Oak may be going in for a Spanish, a Serbian or a Croatian following recent rumours that have linked the Ghana Premier League side to those countries.
Which nationality they appoint doesn’t matter but the one who has the capability is essential in getting back from asleep. And the one who take the team will face less challenges due to the level of Hearts of Oak who have progressed from a rebuild phase unlike their rivals Asante Kotoko.
They could also give a thought to the return of Samuel Boadu but the project and the level it has to reach will take longer time. Boadu is a fine but slow project builder.
They need a manager who will bring in the fast track re-energising approach which will have huge impacts on the likes Mohammed Alhassan, Samuel Inkoom, Dennis Korsah, Fatawu Mohammed, Gladson Awako and Afriyie Barnieh.
When these players rise up, Hearts of Oak is in its functionality that includes regularly playing in money zone of African campaign.
