Hearts of Oak sack head coach Samuel Boadu, appoint interims as former Qatar SC boss Erik Van Der Meer to be named permanent new coach |

There have been swift changes at Hearts of Oak on Tuesday, two days after getting into the better side of refereeing decisions in 1-1 draw against Ghana Premier League main title challengers Asante Kotoko.

Sunday’s biggest game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium could have seen Hearts of Oak thrashed 3-1 if at least two legitimate penalties were award to Asante Kotoko but referee Selorm Yao Bless denied the home side who were leading 1-0 several penalties appeals before Hearts of Oak struck mid-way to end the game 1-1 in Kumasi.

The aftermath of the game hasn’t placed Hearts boss Samuel Boadu on the safer side with reports suggested club’s officials are ready to fire their head coach. On Tuesday, the Accra side finally parted company with Samuel Boadu who resigned from his duties.

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With that coming, Hearts of Oak are set to announce the appointment of the former Qatar SC gaffer Erik Van Der Meer for the club’s vacant coaching job. It’s understood that the Ghana Premier League side and Erik Van Der Meer have already held talks to an advanced stage where the Dutch boss could be announced as replacement for Samuel Boadu in coming days but there is a competition from Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum who led Kotoko to Ghana Premier League glory last season.

Prior to his resignation, Samuel Boadu held a long period meeting with Hearts of Oak hierarchy lead by Executive Board Chairman Togbe Afede XIV as Boadu could not convince his employers over his stay.

On the counts of poor results and lack of club’s identity on the pitch, Hearts of Oak officials ask Samuel Boadu to send a resignation letter before he would be sacked. Hearts have failed to win a game in their first three Ghana Premier League games losing and drawing two against Great Olympics and Asante Kotoko.

In the Kotoko game, there has been widely accepted opinion that if the match referee had been fair, Hearts of Oak would have lost by high margin after Selorm Yao Bless denying Asante Kotoko at least three clear penalties. The rest appeals hold a 50-50 judgment.

Boadu’s departure may have been planned already before Hearts even tripped Kumasi to face Asante Kotoko. That is. Erik Van der Meer arrived in Ghana last week to conclude negotiations with Hearts of Oak for the coaching job. Van der Meer was at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday to watch Hearts of Oak outplayed by their rivals who are largely regarded as a young project.

Initial appointment of interims

Accra Hearts of Oak have announced the appointment of Samuel Nii Noi and former goal-keeper Benjamin Mensah as interim coaches with an immediate effect.

The decision to name the club’s U20 team head coach as a stop-gap gaffer comes following the sacking of Samuel Boadu and his backroom staff after a poor start in the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League season.

The Ghanaian giants on Tuesday announced its decision to part ways with head coach Samuel Boadu, Hamza Mohammed Obeng and goalkeeper’s coach Eric Amponsah by mutual consent.

Nii Noi is returning to the senior team after his demotion as assistant coach to Hearts of Oak youth team (Auroras FC) prior to the start of the new season.

A portion of Hearts of Oak statement reads “In the interim, the coach of the U20 — Samuel Nii Noi who will be assisted by Benjamin Mensah will take charge of the first team until a substantive head coach is appointed”

Hearts of Oak will hope to secure their first win of the campaign when they host Bibiani Gold Stars in the match-week four games at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday