Accra Hearts of Oak former midfielder Esme Mends noted conditions under which the appointment of Serbian coach Kosta Papic by Accra Hearts of Oak will bring success to the club in the ongoing 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League (GPL) campaign.
Esme Mends, a former player of Hearts of Oak, told ghanasportspage.com that Papic’s success as head coach of the club hinges on the players’ ability to adapt to his tactics, and to play according to the coach’s instructions.
Kosta Papic was the helmsman when the Phobians lifted their last GPL title in the 2008/2009 season, and has been reappointed to lead the team as they pursue their 21st league title. The former Martizburg United, Kaizer Chiefs boss was confirmed on Tuesday as the new head coach of Hearts of Oak, and will be in charge of the club’s second third league game against Karela United on Friday, December 4, and Mends has been sharing his thoughts with ghanasportspage.com.
“I know Papic, I know with the kind of players Hearts of Oak have now, if only they listen to Papic then by the end of the first round of the league they (Hearts of Oak) will be on top (of the table) if only they listen to Papic and play to instructions”, Esme Mends stated.
Mends played under Kosta Papic during his days at Accra Hearts of Oak and he believes coach Papic is a tried and tested man capable of turning things around for the Phobians.
“I believe he can because he’s done it before. It’s not only in Ghana here that I saw it, I also followed him to South Africa and I was marveled. Even what he did in Ghana here was minor. What he did in South Africa was superb, it was excellent. So based on the fact that he won the league us, with Hearts of Oak and when I followed him to South Africa how he worked, the way he talked to players, his training regimes, it’s excellent. That’s why I said if only the players listen to him Hearts of Oak will beat everybody, yes we’ll lose games, yes, but I believe by the end of the first round we’ll be on top”, Mends maintained.