Former Hearts of Oak defender, Ibrahim Larry Sumaila has sounded a warning to new signings at the club, cautioning that playing for the Phobians can be a make-or-break experience for their careers.
In an interview with Ghanasportspage.com, Sumaila emphasized that playing for Hearts of Oak requires a high level of dedication and commitment.
“Hearts of Oak is a very big club, they have a good recognition in the world so if you are a player joining this club and you haven’t fastened your belt, then you need to because it’s a very huge task that you’ve taken upon yourself.
“If you play with a clean heart, you’d enjoy goodies, but if you play it anyhow, that’s how your career will be. The team can make and unmake you as a player, so when you are coming, you need to tighten your belt,” he told Ghanasportspage.com.
Sumaila drew parallels between Hearts of Oak and European giants like Real Madrid and Barcelona, emphasizing the importance of taking the responsibility of playing for such a big club seriously.
“Hearts is just like Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain, it’s one of the biggest clubs in Ghana.
“I realized this in Turkey when we were returning from Algeria, people came to us to take pictures at the airport same in Algiers so when you are joining such club, bear in mind that, Hearts of Oak can make you and at the same time unmake you so make sure to play with from heart and you’d be proud of yourself,” he warned.
Sumaila himself had a successful stint with Hearts of Oak, winning multiple titles including the MTN FA Cups, Ghana Super Cup, Ghana Premier League, and the President’s Cup under Samuel Boadu.
