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Hearts of Oak on verge of losing seven first team stars
Hearts of Oak launched a poor start to this season’s Ghana Premier League but has managed to fight into the top four. They are 2 and 5 points above third place Medeam SC and second place Bechem Unite respectively. They convincingly beat Accra Lions 3-0 last Friday to boost their chances to finish even in a second place.
Some top performers have been key to Hearts’ top four place but could lose them at the end of the season. The likes of Frederick Ansah Botchway, Mohammed Alhassan, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Sulley Muntari have become untouchable in Samuel Boadu starting XI but see their contract expire at the end of the season.
If Hearts fail to reach new agreement with their stars, they will leave on a free transfer. Hearts may wish to keep them beyond this season despite fighting against transfer interests from Africa and Europe for some of these stars.
Kickgh.com has make a revelation that the players below see their current contract expire at this term’s ending.
Larry Ibrahim Sumaila
Once a crucial member of the Hearts squad, Sumaila has become somewhat of a forgotten figure at the club, only limited to cheerleading roles. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, it is highly unlikely that he will be offered a new contract by the club management.
Frederick Ansah Botchway
Botchway has been an important player for Hearts when called upon and despite his good displays, his game time has been limited this season and with his contract running down at the end of the season, management might have a big decision on their hands, though it is understood that they will look to keep him and offer him a new deal.
Mohammed Alhassan
An incredibly solid defender if not the most spectacular. Alhassan has been a cornerstone of Samuel Boadu’s Hearts side this term. Hearts’ vice-captain has yet to sign a new deal and he wouldn’t be short of suitors, at home or abroad, if he were allowed to leave.
However, it would be a huge surprise if Hearts allowed the intelligent centre-back to depart, although he is still waiting to sign a new contract.
Daniel Afriyie Barnieh
Barnie is on a roll at the moment. He has scored and assisted in Hearts’ recent games.
While he has remained mum on his future, the club are understood to be extremely keen to keep hold of the forward as they see him as the player around who they want to build their side and would not want to lose him, especially at this moment.
Patrick Razak
The winger missed the first half of the season because he was deemed not good by Boadu but the club’s shambolic display, there was a lot of cry by fans of the club to have Razak registered for the second round. He, surely repaid their trust in him with some splendid displays to become one of the club’s most important players now.
With uncertainty surrounding his future, no one knows if he will continue his bromance with the Phobians at the end of the season.
Richmond Ayi
Richmond Ayi joined Hearts in 2018 on a free transfer having previously played for WAFA SC. He was club’s number one until he lost his position to Richard Attah who joined from Elmina Sharks a season later. This season, Ayi has kept the post on 15 occasions, conceding 10 times with 6 clean sheets.
Ayi’s four-year-deal with the Phobians expires in December and there is the likelihood the netminder might not extend his stay with the Phobians.
Sulley Muntari
The Ghana legend has been very instrumental since he joined the Phobians in February on a short-term deal. Muntari’s contract with the Phobians ends at the end of the season. He is another player who Hearts should keep hold off at all costs.
Loss of Surprise
The Ghana Premier League champions have at least four of these seven players who are starters under Samuel Boadu. The club have vowed to build a formidable side to be recognised as a giants in African once again.
The club majority shareholder Togbe Afede XIV made that claims some weeks ago and may keep his promises including contract renewals.
Most of their first team players should be maintained to close the gap in achieving that, and under conditions they run out of contract, first team players should be booked on a new deal before considering bringing in new faces.
It will be a big SURPRISE if Hearts don’t reach agreement with majority of players running out of contract at the end of the season. They should offer new deal to Muntari, Mohammed Alhassan, Afriyie Barnieh and Ansah Botchway as they may enter into the Caf Confederation Cup next season.
