Accra Hearts of Oak head coach Aboubakar Ouattara found himself in a heated exchange with a journalist after being questioned about the team’s ambitions for the league title. Responding sharply, Ouattara challenged the assumption that winning the league was the club’s primary objective, suggesting that the focus might be on building a competitive squad and long-term stability. His reaction has sparked debate among fans, with some questioning the club’s ambitions while others support a more measured, strategic approach to success.
The true measure of a coach’s composure is seen when they face a hostile press during a bad run.
For Hearts of Oak head coach Aboubakar Ouattara, it did not take a lot to rattle him, when he faced the press after Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Bechem United.
Hearts slumped to a second successive loss as they failed to recover from a 52nd minute Kofi Tompuo goal at Bechem.
When asked what the result means to the Phobians title aspirations, a visibly upset Ouattara challenged the journalists suggestion that Hearts of Oak should be aiming for the title.
”[Did] I tell you [that] the ambition is to win the league? [Did] I tell you [that]? Let’s be disciplined, here is not Makola market.
When the journalist insisted that a club like Hearts of Oak should be aiming for the title, Ouattara retorted that ”go and look at the table, and you make your full opinion. In the league, we have 12 matches, and 12 matches is 36 points. It’s a league. Let’s us finish the league. On 8th June we shall talk about the league.”
Outtara’s comments contradict an earlier position he expressed in December last year when journalists asked the same question.
”After the 34 matches, my plan is not to stay in the Premier League. We need one ultimate. So the plan is to win the league.”
Last month, he told Accra Street Journal that ”My target for Hearts of Oak is to win a domestic trophy, qualify for Africa, achieve a glorious name, and go forward. This is my focus,” he told Asempa FM.
”To compete in Africa, you need to win the league or a trophy in Ghana before earning the opportunity. So, let us work on it and move forward. For Hearts of Oak, the future is bright.”
Wednesday’s defeat leaves the Phobians in fifth place with 36 points and four behind league leaders Bibiani Gold Stars
Hearts will face league leaders Gold Stars in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday.
Last Updated on March 21, 2025 by samboad
