Sports
Deliver us from relegation
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/A-line-up-of-the-Accra-Hearts-of-Oak-team.jpg&description=Deliver us from relegation', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/A-line-up-of-the-Accra-Hearts-of-Oak-team.jpg&description=Deliver us from relegation', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
A line up of the Accra Hearts of Oak team
Premier Club, Accra Hearts of Oak and city rivals, Accra Great Olympics are without doubt the oldest and most experienced club sides in the capital.
They have enjoyed a great and healthy rivalry for which reason clashes between them were considered very attractive after a Hearts-Asante Kotoko blockbuster.
Clashes between the two city neighbours generated series of headlines linked with outcomes of their matches and in some quarters, have been tagged the ‘Accra brothers.’
With time, new clubs in Accra including Tema Youth, Liberty Professionals, Inter Allies, and more recently, Accra Lions have all entered the elite platform to rub shoulders with the big guns but have not been able to dislodge the two traditional powerhouses.
Truth is, a chunk of supporters are shared between them with Hearts commanding greater numbers and enjoy a superior record against Olympics.
For the Wonder Club, they boast of just two GPL diadems but Hearts are serial winners, winning over 20 trophies while they dominated and conquered Africa in the 2000s in addition to other trophies they won.
But in recent times, the excitement that comes with their games appear to be fading following their dwindling fortunes in the Ghana Premier League (GPL).
Having been relegated on three occasions in almost two decades now, Olympics are noted for their inconsistency but it is notso with the Phobians.
But for a club that used to challenge for the ultimate almost every season with Asante Kotoko, it becomes strange and shocking to see Hearts drop to such levels.
Last season, it became apparent that they were heading for the drop with their rivals until a few outcomes favoured them to escape relegation.
Lessons have not been learnt from that and in the current season, both Hearts and Olympics find themselves in the murky relegation waters again.
The reason for this downward spiral is not exactly known.
What is known are attempts to halt it but the changes in the technical teams – a situation that saw Jimmy Cobblah replace Annor Walker and Aboubaka Ouatarra replacing Martin Koopman, have not yielded the right result.
Hearts’ statistic of losing as many as four games in their last six or so games makes their situation even more precarious.
It therefore came as little wonder when their supporters registered their displeasure in their respective last home games in which they lost – Oly to Medeama and Hearts to Accra Lions.
While the AGOSU faithful vented their anger on the match officials, Hearts fans took issue with their players who they blamed for the poor run.
With six games to end the season, the Save Our Souls (SOS) call from the fans was very relevant considering the opposition they face at this stage of the competition and the form in which they find themselves. Their prayer by now may be for God to deliver them from relegation.
What makes their survival dicey is the fact that the two teams struggle at home where they are supposed to earn the points to boost their survival.
Secondly, they have been extremely poor in front of goal, wasting the numerous chances that come their way.
In the last stretch, Hearts and Olympics would have to define their fate by halting the negative results. Failure to do so could worsen their plight by plunging further into the doldrums.
Less than a month ago, another powerhouse, Asante Kotoko was a laughing stock over similar performances but two wins in a row have stemmed the tide and they look quite comfortable as of now.
Hearts and Olympics can do same if they start winning their games but if they continue with this trend, relegation will be real for them. Oly may be aware of that but for Hearts, relegation would look more like a fiction.
By Andrew Nortey
Accra Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC will headline Matchday 5 of the Ghana Premier League when the two sides meet at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium tomorrow, with both clubs seeking a result that could shape their early season campaign.
The encounter comes at a crucial moment for the two sides with the Phobians looking to recover from their first defeat of the campaign and Dreams still searching for their first victory after four matches.
The Rainbow lads started the season strongly but were beaten 1-0 by Karela United last weekend, while Dreams suffered a slim 1-0 defeat to Bechem United.
Hearts had earlier recorded impressive victories over Berekum Chelsea and Bibiani Gold Stars before drawing goalless with Bechem United, leaving the club with seven points from their opening four matches.
Their defeat at Karela United, however, means they will be under pressure to quickly return to winning ways against a Dreams side determined to make home advantage count.
Dreams, meanwhile, have endured a difficult beginning to the campaign and will see tomorrow’s fixture as an opportunity to change their fortunes.
The ‘Still Believe’ side have collected points from only their opening draws and are yet to register a victory, making the meeting with one of the country’s traditional giants an important test of their character.
Elsewhere, Vision FC will welcome Bibiani Gold Stars to the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex today, with both teams looking to strengthen their positions.
Vision have shown encouraging form in the early stages, while Gold Stars will be seeking a response after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to newcomers Port City FC.
At the Debibi Presby Park, newly promoted Debibi United will face defending champions Medeama SC tomorrow.
Medeama finally opened their account with a convincing 4-1 victory over Basake Holy Stars and will be hoping that the result marks the beginning of a stronger title defence.
Port City FC will continue their impressive debut campaign when they host Bechem United at the Daasebere Boamah Darko II Park.
Basake Holy Stars will attempt to recover from their heavy defeat to Medeama when they host Berekum Chelsea at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena.
Aduana FC will welcome Swedru All Blacks to the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park after producing one of the weekend’s most notable results last Sunday.
At the Kpando Stadium, Heart of Lions will host FC AshantiGold ’04 in another meeting between sides coming off victories.
FC Samartex 1996 will meanwhile welcome Young Apostles FC to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, with the home side seeking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 would go into the annals of Ghana football as one of the darkest days for the Black Stars.
In an AFCON 2027 qualifier against The Gambia, the Black Stars did not only break the hearts of the fans, but conceded a defeat that left followers with sleepless nights.
Coming from a Matchday 1 defeat to the Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire in Bouake, the outcome of the second game against The Gambia was one that was non-negotiable.
It had the ability to spark a revival to contend for one of the slots for the next AFCON showpiece.
The Gambia is a formidable side but definitely, not one to have frustrated Ghanaians to watch in pain and awe the Black Stars lose a game from a winning position.
That is a possibility in the game of football but when the stakes are high in such cases, it becomes unacceptable to the fans.
And grievously has Carlos Queiroz answered the massive call for his resignation.
At his post-match press conference, he made it clear that bowing out was the easiest decision but insisted that would not solve the myriad problems facing the Black Stars.
For the coach to be fired two days after that declaration raises a lot of concerns as he seem to be aware of existing problems the FA may even not know.
Unfortunately, coaches over the years have always been sacrificial lambs in situations of this nature but when he talks about particular problems affecting the team, his sack leaves much to be desired.
That aside, it is important to also take another look at the country’s pool of players, both local and foreign based.
Some of us have been advocates for forming the Black Stars around the ever-present local players who may lack the skill, finesse and flamboyance believed to give the foreign based players the edge over their local counterparts.
The locals, however, compensate that with their commitment and dedication.
Sadly, it appears this consistent call have fallen on deaf ears and no one wants to give any attention to that.
If the fear is that results would be poor, then that would be no excuse again following outcomes of the Stars in their last two games.
From what was witnessed in Bouake and Accra, one can confidently boast that there isn’t much difference between the foreign based players and the locals.
If there is any, it would probably be the treatment given to the two sets of players.
The call on the FA now is to give major consideration to the local players. Any coach that sees no good in the local players must have no business handling the national team.
That does not also shut the door on the ‘foreigners’. We witnessed how the early 90s teams were beautifully blended to have a formidable team.
It is time the FA goes back to the basics. With the locals, there can be more camps, leading to improved cohesion. Any foreign based player invited must settle into the team quickly and make a difference. That is the only way to rescue the Black Stars from its free fall.
By Andrew Nortey
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
