Accra Hearts of Oak S.C. explained
Clubname: | Hearts of Oak |
Fullname: | Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club |
Nickname: | Phobia |
Ground: | Accra Sports Stadium |
Capacity: | 40,000 |
Chrtitle: | Chairman |
Chairman: | Togbe Afede XIV |
Manager: | Aboubakar Ouattara |
League: | Ghana Premier League |
Season: | 2022–23 |
Position: | 12th |
Website: | http://heartsofoaksc.com/ |
Pattern B1: | _bluevertical |
Leftarm1: | FF0000 |
Body1: | FFEE00 |
Rightarm1: | FF0000 |
Shorts1: | FF0000 |
Socks1: | FF0000 |
Leftarm2: | FFFFFF |
Body2: | FFFFFF |
Rightarm2: | FFFFFF |
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Current: | 2022–23 Ghana Premier League |
Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club, commonly referred to as Hearts of Oak or just Hearts, is a professional sports club based in Accra (Greater Accra), Ghana.[1] Founded in 1911, the club is the oldest surviving football club in Ghana and its traditional colours are red, yellow and blue. Hearts of Oak competes in the Ghana Premier League, the premier division on the Ghanaian football pyramid. The Accra Sports Stadium is the club's home grounds, where it plays its home games.
Hearts has won the Premier League twenty-one times, the Ghanaian FA Cup a record twelve times,[2] the Ghana Super Cup, a joint record three times[3] [4] the President's Cup, six times,[5] [6] [7] and the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederations Cup once each.[8] Accra Hearts of Oak was also ranked eighth football club in the world in the year 2000 when the club dominated most of the continent's sporting activities.[9] Accra Hearts of Oak remains the only football club in West Africa to have won a Continental Treble; one of 6 Africa-based clubs and one of 21 football clubs worldwide to have achieved this feat. During the colonial period, Hearts of Oak won a combined total of eight football league trophies in the Accra Football League and the Gold Coast Club Competition, both precursors to the Ghana Premier League. In the Accra Football League, Hearts of Oak won the Guggisberg Shield donated by Sir Gordon Guggisberg, then Governor of the Gold Coast in 1922; the competition for Accra-based clubs was played on 12 occasions between 1922 and 1954; Hearts of Oak won the Shield six times, including the final tournament played in 1954.[10]
History
The club was founded on 11 November 1911, in Accra.[11] Hearts of Oak won their first major match in 1922 when Sir Gordon Guggisberg, then Governor of the Gold Coast, founded the Accra Football League. Hearts won 6 out of 12 seasons in this league. The club also won the 1953/54 edition of the Gold Coast Club Competition – the colonial precursor to the Ghana Premier League. In 1956, Hearts joined the Ghanaian Football League and have flourished ever since.[12]
In the year 2000, the Hearts of Oak won the Ghanaian FA cup, the Ghana Premier League and for the first time in their history the CAF Champions League.[13] This was the most successful year in the club's history.[14] The team was led by club captain, Joseph Ansah.[15]
See main article: Accra Sports Stadium disaster. On 9 May 2001, 127 people died in Africa's worst footballing disaster. During a match between rivals, Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko. Trouble started when supporters of Asante Kotoko began ripping out seats in an act of hooliganism in protest at a goal allowed by the referee. The match was officiated by referee J. Wilson Sey,[16] from Cape Coast. Police reacted by firing tear gas into the crowd, it has been suggested that this was an over-reaction. Reports suggest that the gates to the ground were locked and the stadium was not up to FIFA standards. The rush to escape the tear gas was a contributory factor to the death toll. A commission of inquiry, indicted six police officers in its initial report, but they were not convicted as it was deemed that the deaths could have been caused by the stampede instead of the tear gas.[17] [18] As of 2020, the transfer value of the Accra Hearts of Oak was £2.03 million, the highest of all sports clubs in Ghana.[19]
Grounds
Accra Hearts of Oak play home matches at the Accra Sports Stadium. The Accra Sports Stadium holds an estimated 40,000 seats. Although purchased in the 1980s, the Pobiman Training Ground was only put to use in the summer of 2018. Construction for an expansion of the 19-acre site in the Pobiman neighborhood, is currently in the planning stages way. The club plans to build a state-of-the-art facility.
Rivalries
Accra Hearts of Oak's longest established rivalry is with Asante Kotoko S.C. and their city rivals Accra Great Olympics FC.
Current squad
First team squad
[20] [21] Reference as of 12 March 2021
Out on loan
Honours
Official trophies (recognised by CAF and FIFA)
Domestic
- Ghana Premier League
- Champions (21): 1956, 1958, 1961–62, 1971, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1984, 1985, 1989–90, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2020–21
- Ghanaian FA Cup
- Winners (12): 1973, 1974, 1979, 1981, 1989, 1990 (After winning a protest that declared them winners), 1993–94, 1995–96, 1999, 2000, 2021, 2022 (record)
- Ghana Super Cup
- Winners (3): 1997, 1998, 2021 (joint record)
International
Other GFA National Titles
1973, 1974 (shared), 1977 (shared), 1978, 1979, 1984, 1985
- Ghana Telecom Gala: 4
- GHALCA Special Cup: 3
- Ghana Top Four Cup: 3
- Ghana Top Eight Cup: 2
- President's Cup: 6
2003, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2022, 2023
- Independence Cup: 4
- PLB Special Knockout: 1
- June 4 Cup: 3
- 31 December Revolution Cup: 1
Gold Coast
- Inclusive of trophies won in the Accra Football League (Guggisberg Shield) and the Gold Coast Club Competition, both played during the colonial period[26]
- Champions (8): 1920, 1922, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1933, 1935, 1953–54
- Contributor: Bright Yeboah Taylor (Ghanaian Sports Historian)
Notable players
For all former players with a Wikipedia article see
Club captains
Managers
List of managers since 1991
Seasons
Notes and References
- Web site: Association. Ghana Football. FA pats Hearts as they celebrate first 100 years. 2021-07-27. ghanafa.org. en. 27 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210727200541/https://www.ghanafa.org/fa-pats-hearts-as-they-celebrate-first-100-years. live.
- Web site: 2021-08-08. Hearts of Oak beats Ashgold on penalties to win MTN FA Cup. 2021-08-08. GhanaWeb. en. 16 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211116163052/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Hearts-of-Oak-beats-Ashgold-on-penalties-to-win-MTN-FA-Cup-1327882. live.
- Web site: 2021-08-09. Hearts to play either Kotoko or AshGold in Super Cup clash. 2021-08-10. GhanaWeb. en. 20 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220220194751/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Hearts-to-play-either-Kotoko-or-AshGold-in-Super-Cup-clash-1328077. live.
- Web site: 2021-08-09. Ghana FA to confirm Hearts of Oak as Super Cup winners. 2021-08-10. GhanaSoccernet. en. 20 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220220194753/https://ghanasoccernet.com/ghana-fa-to-confirm-hearts-of-oak-as-super-cup-winners. live.
- Web site: 2021-08-10. Check out all the trophies won by Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko. 2021-08-10. GhanaWeb. en. 10 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210810181801/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Check-out-all-the-trophies-won-by-Hearts-of-Oak-and-Kumasi-Asante-Kotoko-1328791. live.
- Web site: 2023-03-05 . Konadu Yiadom’s header settles 2023 President’s Cup between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko - MyJoyOnline.com . 2023-03-05 . www.myjoyonline.com . en-US . 5 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230305202006/https://www.myjoyonline.com/konadu-yiadoms-header-settles-2023-presidents-cup-between-hearts-of-oak-and-asante-kotoko/ . live .
- Web site: 2023-03-05 . Match Report: Hearts of Oak beat Akufo-Addo's Asante Kotoko to win President's Cup . 2023-03-05 . GhanaWeb . en . 5 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230305202112/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Match-Report-Hearts-of-Oak-beat-Akufo-Addo-s-Asante-Kotoko-to-win-President-s-Cup-1725662 . live .
- Web site: Ayamga. Emmanuel. 2019-11-19. Hearts of Oak's treble winners of 2000: a team and manager that dominated African football. 2021-06-29. These Football Times. en-GB. 29 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210629013237/https://thesefootballtimes.co/2019/11/19/hearts-of-oaks-treble-winners-of-2000-a-team-and-manager-that-dominated-african-football/. live.
- Web site: Today in history: Hearts win 2000 Champions League after chaotic final. 2021-06-29. Ghana Soccernet. 29 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230129024537/https://ghanasoccernet.com/today-history-hearts-win-2000-champions-league-chaotic-final?amp=1. live.
- Web site: Ghana – List of Cup Winners. 2021-08-10. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 2 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221202212145/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesg/ghacuphist.html. live.
- Web site: Hearts of Oak Sporting Club. Soccerway. Perform. 19 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150715085039/http://int.soccerway.com/teams/ghana/hearts-of-oak-sporting-club/3908/. 15 July 2015. live.
- Web site: Hearts of Oak – Der Herzschlag Ghanas . De.fifa.com . 2013-05-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091202112934/http://de.fifa.com/classicfootball/clubs/club=2147481480/index.html . 2 December 2009 . dead .
- Web site: 2004 CAF Clubs Competition Match Reports in Phobia History Forum. Yuku. 2017-03-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20170315002401/http://phobiatalk.yuku.com/topic/874/2004-CAF-Clubs-Competition-Match-Reports. 15 March 2017. live.
- Web site: 2019-11-11. Five major trophies Hearts of Oak have won since being founded 108 years ago. 2021-05-21. Citi Sports Online. en-US. 21 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210521120827/https://citisportsonline.com/2019/11/11/five-major-trophies-hearts-of-oak-have-won-since-being-founded-108-years-ago/. live.
- Web site: Former Hearts of Oak captain Ansah slams team Goal.com. 2021-05-21. Goal. 21 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210521112620/https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4390/ghana-premier-league/2016/02/14/20363222/former-hearts-of-oak-captain-ansah-slams-team. live.
- News: 'May 9 Disaster' referee says GPL officials are not bold. Yen.com.gh – Ghana news.. 2017-03-27. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20170328015541/https://yen.com.gh/50158-may-9-disaster-referee-says-gpl-officials-not-bold.html. 28 March 2017. live.
- News: Ghana tragedy: Police to blame . BBC . 11 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140311105737/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1462508.stm . 11 March 2014 . live . 29 July 2001 .
- Web site: Fifteen Years After Africa's Deadliest Stadium Disaster, Not Much Has Changed. Sports. en-us. 2017-09-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20170911025245/https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/bmqnbv/fifteen-years-after-africas-deadliest-stadium-disaster-not-much-has-changed. 11 September 2017. live. 27 April 2016.
- Web site: Transfer Market value Hearts of Oak ahead of Asante Kotoko . 11 May 2020 . 11 August 2022 . 5 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230305202010/http://ww1.sportsnetgh.com/?sub1=200d82bc-bb93-11ed-9805-3e0256ca1184 . live .
- Web site: 2020-11-12. Full list: Hearts of Oak squad for 2020/21 season. 2020-12-06. Ghana Sports Online. en-US. 13 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201113055448/https://ghanasportsonline.com/2020/11/full-list-hearts-of-oak-squad-for-2020-21-season/. live.
- Web site: 2021-02-27. Hearts of Oak announce signing of Eleven Wonders star Salifu Ibrahim. 2021-02-27. GhanaSoccernet. en. 27 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210227191124/https://ghanasoccernet.com/hearts-announce-signing-of-eleven-wonders-star-salifu-ibrahim. live.
- Web site: 2013-06-20. History and facts of the SWAG CUP. 2021-08-10. GhanaWeb. en. 10 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210810181324/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/History-and-facts-of-the-SWAG-CUP-277473. live.
- Web site: 2019-02-15. Swag Cup. 2021-08-10. Swag. en-GB. 10 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210810182835/https://swagghana.com/swag-cup/. live.
- Web site: A historical overview of Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG). 2021-08-10. Footballghana. en. 10 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210810185709/https://footballghana.com/a-historical-overview-of-sports-writers-association-of-ghana-swag. live.
- Web site: 2015-12-02. SWAG clears the air on the number of SWAG Cups Asante Kotoko have won. 2021-08-10. GhanaSoccernet. en. 10 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210810185708/https://ghanasoccernet.com/swag-clears-the-air-on-the-number-of-number-of-swag-cup-asante-kotoko-have-won. live.
- Web site: 2021-07-11. Full list of past Ghana Premier League title winners since 1920. 2021-07-11. GhanaWeb. en. 11 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210711222053/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Full-list-of-past-Ghana-Premier-League-title-winners-since-1920-1306675. live.
- News: 2005-06-08. Hearts of Oak coach dies. en-GB. 2021-07-04. 9 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183609/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4073070.stm. live.
- Web site: GNA . 2020-11-30 . Hearts of Oak appoints Kosta Papic as head coach . 2024-06-27 . Ghana News Agency . en-US.
- Web site: Online . Peace FM . Hearts Coach Plotting Berekum Chelsea Downfall . 2024-06-27 . Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news.
- Web site: 2020-01-15 . Five things to know about new Black Stars head coach C.K Akonnor . 2024-06-27 . Citi Sports Online . en-US.
- Web site: Hearts Mutually Terminate Contract With David Duncan. 8 November 2013. Accra Hearts of Oak. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714144532/http://www.accraheartsofoak.com/site/news/detail/819. 14 July 2014. dead.
- Web site: Mohammed Polo can only return to Hearts as a technical director . Sheikh Tophic Sienu . Ghana Soccernet . 17 January 2016 . 6 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180207010345/http://ghanasoccernet.com/mohammed-polo-can-only-return-to-hearts-as-a-technical-director . 7 February 2018 . live .
- Web site: Online . Peace FM . Hearts Of Oak Appoint Herbert Addo On A Two-year Deal . 2024-06-27 . Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news.
- Web site: Online . Peace FM . Hearts of Oak Appoints Japanese American Coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi . 2024-06-27 . Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news.
- Web site: 2016-06-17 . Hearts of Oak appoint Portuguese Sergio Daniel Traguil as head coach of junior teams - MyJoyOnline . 2024-06-27 . www.myjoyonline.com . en-US.
- Web site: 2023-09-19 . Hearts confirm Nuttal appointment Goal.com Ghana . 2024-06-27 . www.goal.com . en-GH.
- Web site: News . 13 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180613234317/http://phobians.com/singlenews.php?id=326 . 13 June 2018 . dead .
- Web site: Official: Hearts of Oak sack coach Kim Grant. ghanaweb.com. 31 December 2019. en. 2020-01-18. 5 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230305202007/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Official-Hearts-of-Oak-sack-coach-Kim-Grant-826966. live.
- Web site: Edward Nii Odoom takes over as new Hearts of Oak head coach. ghanaweb.com. en. 2020-01-18.
- Web site: Confirmed: Kosta Papic named new head coach of Accra Hearts of Oak. 2020-12-06. Graphic Online. en-gb. 30 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201130205503/https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/sports-news/confirmed.html. live.
- Web site: 2020-12-01. Official: Hearts of Oak appoint Kosta Papic as the new head coach. 2020-12-06. ghanaweb.com. en. 13 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210413143605/https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Official-Hearts-of-Oak-appoint-Kosta-Papic-as-the-new-head-coach-1123472. live.
- Web site: Mensah. Rita. 16 February 2021. Hearts of Oak appoint Samuel Nii Noi as interim coach. live. 11 July 2021. Citi Sports Online. en-US. 11 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210711175627/https://citisportsonline.com/2021/02/16/hearts-of-oak-appoint-samuel-nii-noi-as-interim-coach/.
- Web site: Samuel Boadu: Hearts of Oak appoint former Medeama boss as new coach - MyJoyOnline.com. 2021-03-02. myjoyonline.com. en-US. 1 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210301162930/https://www.myjoyonline.com/samuel-boadu-hearts-of-oak-appoint-former-medeama-boss-as-new-coach/. live.
- Web site: OFFICIAL: Hearts of Oak appoint Serbian trainer Slavko Matic as new head coach - Ghanasoccernet.com. 2022-12-20. Ghanasoccernet.com. en-US. 20 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221020083119/https://ghanasoccernet.com/official-hearts-of-oak-appoint-serbian-trainer-slavko-matic-as-new-head-coach/. live.
- Web site: GNA . 2023-08-18 . Hearts of Oak officially announce Dutch trainer Koopman as new coach . 2024-06-26 . Ghana News Agency . en-US.
- Web site: GNA . 2024-02-11 . Director Hearts of Oak appoints new Managing Director and Coach . 2024-06-26 . Ghana News Agency . en-US.