Despite the National Sports Authority’s (NSA) directive to close the Accra Sports Stadium for minor renovations, the resilient Accra Hearts of Oak are now on a mission to find an alternative venue, showcasing their unwavering determination.
The closure of the Accra Sports Stadium and the Cape Coast Stadium comes as the NSA works to prepare a venue for the Black Stars’ 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sudan in October.
The Baba Yara Sports Stadium closure, Ghana’s only approved venue for international fixtures, has compounded the issue. Kumasi Asante Kotoko, traditionally hosting their league games at Baba Yara, is expected to relocate to the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium, home of Ashanti Gold, for their matches.
Hearts of Oak’s start to the 2024-25 Ghana Premier League season has been challenging, with no points from their first two games. Therefore, the search for a new home ground is critical.
The University of Ghana Stadium is among the potential options for the Phobians, as the Baba Yara Stadium, which had been used for some of their home games last season, is also unavailable.
The temporary shutdown of the Accra Sports Stadium only adds to the challenges for Hearts of Oak and their head coach, Aboubakar Ouattara. Ouattara, who has already faced a tough tenure with nine losses in 19 matches, now has to deal with the lack of a home venue. This further diminishes the team’s chances of benefiting from their traditional home support, potentially prolonging their poor form.
Under Ouattara’s management since February 2024, Hearts of Oak has won four home games, lost as many, and drawn two. As they prepare to face Bechem United on Sunday, the Phobians can draw hope from their past successes and will be eager to secure their first points of the season and climb from their current position at the bottom of the league standings.
