Ex-Hearts board member Frank Nelson charges team to sign proven players

By Lukman MUMIN, Accra

Former Board Member of Hearts of Oak, Frank Nelson, has urged the club to sign proven players following the Phobians struggles in the new campaign.

Hearts of Oak have been on a run of poor form winning only two matches, losing three and drawing three leaving them 12th on the league log.

Nelson has attributed the club’s struggles to questionable recruitment practices, pointing out the need to focus on signing players who have proven themselves in the Ghana Premier League or other high-level competitions.

“Go for players who are tried and tested, not playing for Division One or Two clubs, but players who have tasted the premiership and achieved laurels with their clubs,” he said on Luv FM.


“First of all, I won’t blame the coach or the playing body, but we need to look at the problem holistically and know exactly where it’s coming from,” he added.

He raised questions about whether the club’s recent player acquisitions were truly worthy of playing for a club of Hearts of Oak’s stature.

Nelson recalled the club’s tradition of signing top players from other successful Ghanaian teams, a strategy that has contributed to their rich history.

He pointed to past signings like Anthony Annan from Sekondi Hasaacas and Eric Gawu from King Faisal, players who brought experience and quality to the team.

He continued: “Well, I don’t think these are the best players in Ghana for Accra Hearts of Oak. Accra Hearts of Oak I know in those days is the club that goes for the best players, like going for Yaw Sakyi from Kotoko, going for Eric Gawu from King Faisal, Anthony Annan from Hasacas etc.”

While a few players have been promoted from the junior ranks, the club’s overall recruitment strategy has been inconsistent, with too many players coming and going each season.

“I don’t think we should wait till the end of the season to do a wholesale recruitment as we did this season. We brought in about 15 players, and that’s not ideal for a club aiming to progress. Inconsistent recruitment leads to a lack of team chemistry,” Nelson remarked.

He called for a more strategic approach to player signings, emphasizing the importance of building a strong scouting team to identify quality talent ahead of each season.

“We need a solid scouting team that can help us scout the best players. It’s essential for the long-term success of the club.”

Hearts of Oak will be hosted by Medeama SC in the Matchday 9 games at the TNA Park this weekend.