Hearts of Oak’s head coach, Aboubakar Ouattara, has been formally charged by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Disciplinary Committee following his failure to attend the post-match press conference after his team's 1-0 defeat to Dreams FC. The match, which took place at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, saw the Phobians suffer their first loss in seven league games, with Abdul Razak scoring the only goal. Ouattara’s absence from the mandatory media session after the match was viewed by the GFA as a deliberate action that tarnished the image of the sport. As a result, the governing body has taken disciplinary action, giving the coach until Tuesday, March 18, to officially respond to the charges. This incident follows a recent charge against Hearts of Oak for failing to comply with safety protocols when the league resumed, further putting the club under scrutiny.
Despite the setback, Hearts of Oak has been in impressive form this season, recording five wins and two draws before their recent loss. The defeat against Dreams FC was their first in the 2025 Ghana Premier League campaign since their December 2024 loss to fierce rivals Asante Kotoko in the Super Clash. The team’s strong performance had positioned them as title contenders, and their third-place standing with 36 points—just two points behind league leaders Kotoko—keeps them well within the race for the championship. However, the disciplinary issues surrounding the club and its head coach have added a layer of challenges to their title ambitions. The club’s management will now have to deal with the potential consequences of Ouattara’s charges while keeping the players focused on the ongoing competition.
Looking ahead, Hearts of Oak will aim to bounce back from the defeat and shift their attention to their upcoming fixture against Bechem United. The match, scheduled for Wednesday at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, will be a crucial test of their resilience and ability to recover from setbacks. With the team still in a strong position in the league, their response to this recent controversy and their ability to refocus on their title chase will be critical. Fans will be eager to see how Ouattara handles both the disciplinary matter and the challenge of keeping the squad motivated for the next game. As the GFA waits for the coach’s response, the club must balance off-field issues with on-field performance to maintain their momentum in the title race.
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