Is Ouattara any good?
New season, usual listless Hearts of Oak. If there was something completely different about Saunday’s 0-1 loss to Basake Holy Stars, it was within the line up.
Hearts coach Abubakar Ouattara began seven new gamers in Sunday’s league opener. There have been six extra on the bench because the Phobians named 13 new gamers within the 18-man squad.
For an skilled coach, it was shocking to see him decide that primarily risked cohesiveness and expertise. Ultimately, Hearts regarded disjointed for essentially the most half.
Whereas the choice points had been worrying, the construction of the group and his deployment of the gamers had been simply as unhealthy. Hamza Issa – Hearts prime scorer from final season with 13 targets, was principally deployed within the broad areas. It took simply two minutes for Hearts to be punished for it. Abdulai Gazale’s Holy Stars took benefit of the house he vacated on the left facet leaving the complete again uncovered. Hearts continued to leak down the best facet however for Benjamin Asare’s agility, Hearts would have conceded a couple of extra.
Considered one of Hearts of Oak’s new recruits Ransford Mensah, signed from Danbort FC, shields the ball on this tussle
It was not simply Hamza. Afriyie Boateng, who began up entrance, spent extra time outdoors the field and taking part in together with his again to aim than he ever did. Between Hamza and Afriyie, they scored 23 targets within the league final season. But, in a single transfer, Outtara didn’t solely render Hearts toothless upfront, but in addition left his full backs uncovered and it in the end price Hearts.
General, it was a efficiency that leaves extra questions on Ouattara’s affect within the eight months he has coached the group. For a major variety of the match-going followers, endurance is operating skinny. They made that clear once they booed Ouattara and his group on their method out of the stadium.
These weren’t knee jerk reactions. The followers know a great group once they see one and for a very long time, Ouattara’s group has not regarded the half. As we speak marks precisely seven months since his appointment was introduced. In that point, Ouattara has recorded seven wins, three attracts and eight losses. He has misplaced extra matches than he has received. Hearts have conceded 20 targets and have solely scored two extra in below Ouattara. Make of this what you’ll.
Adroit Kotoko
Kotoko’s spirit-lifting win over Karela was in some ways anticipated. Not like final season, Kotoko wrapped up their switch enterprise fairly early. By the tip of July, the rancor about dismissals and “unexciting” signings had died. This meant Ogum had six weeks of uninterrupted pre-season to get a tune out of his new gamers. No matter he did, it labored on match day one.
Ogum went in opposition to the grain by fielding seven new gamers. Considered one of them; Albert Amoah who was signed from nice Olympics final month, produced the winner with a positive effort.
Former Nice Olympics ahead Albert Amoah is mobbed by teammates after scoring the match winner
All the again line – Mohammed Camara, Esmat Abdelhamid, Samba O’Neil, Joseph Ablorh, and Lord Amoah. Of the 5, solely right-back Lord Amoah has related expertise of taking part in within the Ghana Premier League. But, they regarded well-knit for lengthy spells.
For a goalkeeper who’s now studying the Ghanaian language, Camara’s command of the rear guard and his group expertise had been admirable. His man of the match efficiency will make it troublesome to drop him for Frederick Asare, when he returns from the Black Stars camp.
There may be nonetheless quite a lot of work to be achieved. However opening days are all about wins and Ogum and the Porcupine Warriors delivered.
Broadcast points.
StarTimes are presently locked in negotiations with the Ghana Soccer Affiliation and the 18 Premier League golf equipment. Nevertheless, these conversations don’t embrace an extension of their broadcast rights contract. Moderately, StarTimes is negotiating the cost phrases and in some circumstances, the quantities to be paid from the now-expired contract.
Whereas all of that is happening, Metro TV, AFA Sports activities, and Web 2 TV are among the many chosen channels that broadcast the opening fixtures.
To say the manufacturing was unhealthy can be an understatement. It began with the Goals FC versus Samartex FC match. At one level, there have been two completely different commentaries operating on the identical recreation and in the identical feed; Twi and English commentary.
On Sunday, viewers had been subjected to a somewhat strenuous retinoscopy. It was virtually unattainable to see the ball, not to mention comply with the movement of the sport. There have been no replays for a lot of the matches proven on tv.
It isn’t a horrible thought to make the league accessible. StarTimes supplied the widest protection within the league’s historical past, and such beneficial properties can’t be misplaced. So by all means, make the league accessible. Nevertheless, the standard of the content material’s manufacturing and broadcasting can’t be compromised. That should enhance earlier than Friday’s fixture between giant-killing Holy Stars and Goals FC.