Sports
Hearts of Oak board inspects Kpobiman facility ahead of pre-season and academy restructuring
The Board of Directors of Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club on Sunday, July 5, 2026, inspected the club’s technical centre at Kpobiman as preparations for the new season gather pace.
The visit was to assess the facility, identify urgent areas needing attention before players return for pre-season, and review progress on the club’s restructured academy system.
When fully operational, the Hearts Africa Football Academy will be the permanent home for Hearts of Oak’s youth teams, Under-19, Under-17, and Under-15.
The new integrated model is designed to create a clear pathway for player development and will make Hearts one of the first Ghana Premier League clubs with a full residential academy.
Beyond football, Kpobiman will also serve as the club’s new administrative headquarters.
The current office at the Commercial Centre will relocate as part of the plan to have all football operations in one place.
Speaking during the inspection, Board Chairman and Majority Shareholder Togbe Afede XIV described the academy as a landmark investment. He was impressed with the progress but stressed the need for proper maintenance.
He tasked Managing Director Julius Ben Emunah and management to maintain a strong maintenance culture.
Togbe Afede XIV also assured that remaining work, including an on-site hotel, event centre, finishing of courts, mini stadium, dressing rooms, and other infrastructure will be completed.
He said Kpobiman will become one of Ghana’s finest football development centres.
Board members present included Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa, Akwesi Agyeman, Vincent Sowah Odotei, Samuel Inkoom, Alhaji Hussein Sulemana, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, and Julius Ben Emunah.
The Board expressed confidence that completing the project and the new academy structure will build a strong foundation for sustainable player development.
The Kpobiman facility features world-class amenities including a 108-bed dormitory, staff bungalows, gym, swimming pool, golf course, tennis and padel courts, basketball court, mini stadium, two natural grass pitches, and a floodlit artificial turf.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has urged the Black Stars to learn from their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign and stay focused on upcoming assignments after Ghana’s defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32.
Addressing the team after the game at Kansas City Stadium, Hon. Adams praised the squad’s performance despite the exit.
“We have what it takes to partake in every World Cup and get out of the group stages and even go further,” he said.
The minister added that “So, we didn’t make it. Our wish was that we would have carried the day. But we played so well and I believe we don’t regret we went in. Everybody is congratulating us that we have a good team. It means you exhibited something good on the pitch.”
The Sports Minister called on the players to treat mistakes made in the tournament as lessons for the future.
“What we need is, the very few mistakes that we made becomes a learning platform for all of us. You become a better player of yourself in the various roles that you play in the team. It should not dampen you,” he said.
Mr. Adams echoed Coach Carlos Queiroz’s team-first philosophy and reminded the players that national duty continues with the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers ahead.
He added, “Like the coach said, he has a team and not individual skilful players. So, we came as a team, we played as a team, we are returning as a team. And to continue our individual careers also. So, it is not the end of international competitions. We are going to be calling on you, and you would have to be responding to these calls for the various qualifiers that are ahead of us.”
He also had a message for the players regarding public reaction to the team’s exit.
“The country is grateful for what we have done. Let’s learn lessons out of whatever situation that arose and brought us to this point. I know as we leave here, those of you who love to go on social media, you will see all manner of postings and all manner of analysis and all manner of criticisms,” he said.
“Please and please, you are professional ballers. Let no such comment dampen anyone. If for anything, it should motivate you to do more. Those who are watching, they will do their own analysis. Don’t let it dampen any one of you. It should motivate you to be a better person of yourselves,” he advised.
“You came as a team, you have played as a team, you have done what we can do and we have reached this point. We are grateful for the service you rendered the country and the country is grateful.” The Minister added.
Black Queens head coach, Kim Lars Björkegren has named a 25-player provisional squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The squad features a blend of experienced and emerging talents drawn from clubs across the best leagues.
Among the notable inclusions are captain Portia Boakye, Grace Asantewaa, Princess Marfo, Alice Kusi, Evelyn Badu, Stella Nyamekye, Jennifer Cudjoe, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Princella Adubea, all expected to play key roles in Ghana’s campaign.
The provisional list also includes home-based players such as Cynthia Konlan Fiindib, FC Samartex Ladies, Osman Huzeima, Jonina Ladies and Ajegipina Zakaria of Ampem Darkoa Ladies highlighting the continued presence of players from the Women’s Premier League.
The Black Queens will soon resume camping in readiness for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Ghana will compete in Group D, where they face Cape Verde on July 29, Cameroon on August 2, and Mali on August 6, with all three matches scheduled to be played at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.
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