Former Hearts board member Frank Nelson defends coach Ouattara amid team struggles
29th October 2024
Frank Nelson Nwokolo, a former board member of Accra Hearts of Oak, has come to the defense of coach Aboubakar Ouattara as the club faces challenges in the Ghana Premier League.
With a disappointing record of two wins, three draws, and three losses from nine matches, the Phobians find themselves in a precarious position, garnering only nine points from a possible 24.
This performance has led to calls for Ouattara’s dismissal from some supporters.
In a recent interview with Luv Sports, Nwokolo attributed the club's struggles not to the coaching staff but to a lack of quality players.
He emphasized the need for a more strategic approach to recruitment, questioning whether the current roster meets the standards of a prestigious club like Hearts of Oak.
“First of all, I won’t blame the coach or the playing body, but we need to look at the problem holistically,” Nwokolo stated.
He highlighted the importance of assessing whether the players signed are truly fit to represent Hearts of Oak, contrasting the current recruitment strategy with the club's history of attracting top talent.
He cited past successful signings such as Yaw Sakyi, Eric Gawu, and Anthony Annan, arguing that the club should not settle for mediocrity.
“Accra Hearts of Oak is not used to mediocrity; we don’t accept anything below average,” he asserted.
Nwokolo urged the management to focus on acquiring experienced players who have proven their worth in the Premier League, rather than those from lower divisions.
He mentioned the importance of having players with a track record of success in the league, referencing the significant contributions of past players like Gawu and Sakyi.
He also pointed to the necessity of a strong scouting team to continuously identify and recruit talent throughout the season, rather than relying on last-minute signings at the end of the season.
“Frequent changes to the squad hinder consistency and performance,” he noted, pointing out that recruiting about fifteen players in one season is not conducive to progress.
As Accra Hearts of Oak prepares to face Medeama SC at the Tarkwa T&A Stadium in a crucial league clash, the club will be looking to turn its fortunes around and build on Nwokolo's insights for a stronger showing in the league.