Hearts of Oak players must be blamed for poor campaign last season – Aboubakar Ouattara

Hearts of Oak coach, Aboubakar Ouattara, has attributed the team’s difficult season to issues within the playing squad.

The Phobians ended the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season in 14th place with 45 points, securing their position with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Bechem United on the final day.

During a press conference on Thursday, July 25, Ouattara candidly addressed the club’s struggles, pinpointing the source of the problems.

“Last season, after the game against Bofoakwa Tano at WAFA Park, our problems started,” said the Ivorian coach.

“The issues were internal and not with the board or management but within the playing body itself.”

He continued, “We’re trying to solve it. Sometimes it’s personal problems between the technical team and the players and also among the players themselves. The resignation of the goalkeeper coach worsened the situation.”

To bolster their squad for the 2024/25 season, Hearts of Oak have signed goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, Samuel Amofa, and former Nations FC players Asamoah Boateng Afriyie and Michael Awuah Mensah.

Following their loss to Asante Kotoko in the inaugural Democracy Cup, Hearts of Oak are set to face Heart of Lions in the Homowo Charity Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium on August 11.