Former Hearts of Oak and Ghana defender, Emmanuel Armah Senegal has revealed one of the major problems of Accra Hearts of Oak as a club.
The former Ghanaian international believes the club’s former players are no more in the books of the Rainbows while they aim to come on board to help the team with their experiences and knowledge.
Arguably the biggest club in Ghana, the Phobians have endured frustrating times in both domestic and international competitions.
Hearts of Oak were booted out from the CAF Confederations Cup on Sunday after a 3-1 aggregate scoreline against AS Real Bamako from Mali.
They last reached the group stages of the CAF’s inter-club competition as far back as in 2006 when they brushed off the Ethiopian side, St. George.
Hearts’ performance in the league this year has been nothing but topsy-turvy as they currently sit 14th on the log.
On Sunday, the Phobians beat lower division side Danbort FC 2-0 to book a place in the Last 32 of the FA Cup.
In an interview with the retired footballer, he said, “The problems of the club have been there for a long time. It wasn’t my time. It is from the time of Robert Amom (may he rest in peace), Mohammed Polo, and others before our time.
“The thing is still going on. The leaders should find solutions because there is always a disagreement among the management, the technical team, and the directors. Hearts of Oak’s problem is big. They have to solve it now because it happens at Kotoko but they use some strategies to solve it. For Hearts, it’s been there for too long. For now, I am talking to you the leaders of Hearts of Oak don’t recognize us as former players”, He told Ghanasportspage.com.
“They don’t recognize us. We are not hitting their back but we’ve worked for the club, we suffered with our blood, and we got issues but still, we took the team to the right position. Those there will surely retire and in every work when you retire they can find some ways for you to become their legend and be part of them but up to now, they don’t recognize us. Sometimes it is hard for me to discuss Hearts but am now an upcoming coach so I have to discuss it.
“Am worried about the recognition. Sometimes they can even call us to teach the children with our knowledge because we have done it before but in a team like Accra Hearts of Oak, there’s no former player among them. See Bayern Munich, and Marseille and check their former players. In every work, those who have retired are always recognized to teach the children. This is what makes me sad that’s why am saying it.
“We have a platform [Phobia Legends]. We make discussions and sometimes the leaders of the club used to say they will invite us but it never happens. I believe that football has turned into money that’s why everybody is investing in it but those who have played it before knowing the secret. It doesn’t show respect. Our magician and legendary Mohammed Polo always complain about that. Is not fine and is not like that at Kotoko,” he told Ghanasportspage.com.
