If the dismissal of Coach Kim Grant was to provide the panacea to Hearts of Oak’s disappointing show in 2019/20 Ghana Premier League, the outcome of their trip to Tarkwa to face Medeama, vindicates the position that, solutions to the troubles that have plagued the Phobians have not yet been found.
In fact, the Phobians had no comfort whatsoever as they suffered a 3-0 humiliation in the hands of Medeama. Coach Grant was sacked following Hearts of Oak’s 1-0 loss to Berekum Chelsea in Accra last week. The easiest assumption was that, the former Black Stars player and now coach, who have been in charge of Hearts of Oak for over a year, was no longer good to steer the affairs of the Oak Tree.
Thus, amidst supporters’ agitation, Kim Grant was kicked out, replaced for the time being by his deputy, Edward Nii Odoom. Doom however awaited the Phobians at Tarkwa on match day two. Medeama showed mercy. They gave the Phobians no breathing space, promising to spank them and they did just that.
Two-goal hero, Prince Opoku Agyeman, shot Medeama into the lead in the early minutes from a spot kick after Kofi Kordzi handled the ball in the box. Prince Opoku Agyeman doubled Medeama’s lead before halftime. The pain and discontent for Hearts of Oak fans were enormous. Some of them gave any idea of their team recovering to even before the second half resumed.
Not even a face-saving draw was possible. Back from recess, Nana Kofi Babil fetched Medeama’s third goal. In essence, if the rainbow often has a strong presence in the sky, it was not in Tarkwa, where Medeama’s mauve and yellow totally overshadowed it. Hearts of Oak were down and out with no chance of recovery. Would their woes continue on match day three?
I hope not. I am sincere about this. The Phobians must find an antidote to whatever has hit them. It has been a decade now since they won any major silverware. Their poor start to the 2019/20 season does not give any good indication that, they would be at their best this season. It is early days yet so Hearts still have time to fix the bug in their system.
In other match day two results, Kotoko on Friday night whipped Legon Cities 3-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium. At the same venue on Saturday, Inter Allies beat Bechem United 2-1. And on Sunday, Ashantigold won by a lone goal away to King Faisal, Dreams FC and Aduana similarly won 1-0 away from home over Eleven Wonders and Great Olympics.
At Sogakope, WAFA returned to their home dominance. They beat Ebusua Dwarfs 2-0 but Elmina Sharks could not rely on Home advantage as they drew 1-1 with Karela United at their backyard. Liberty Professionals put up a stern fight to earn a point at the Golden City Park where they drew goalless with Berekum Chelsea.