Hearts of Oak coach Aboubakar Ouattara has asserted that he is not under personal pressure to deliver despite the team’s recent poor form in the Ghana Premier League.
This statement comes after their 2-0 defeat to arch-rivals Asante Kotoko in the highly anticipated Super Clash on Sunday.
The match at the Baba Yara Stadium saw Kotoko’s Steven Mukwala score twice, resulting in a second consecutive victory over the Phobians. The loss has plunged Hearts of Oak to a precarious 14th position, just two points above the relegation zone, increasing the anxiety among their supporters.
Despite the growing concerns, Ouattara remains focused on the collective effort required to ensure the team’s safety.
“That’s the reality of football. When you can’t score, you can’t win. We didn’t take our chances today, and Kotoko were the better side. Congratulations to them,” Ouattara commented.
.@TheKelOwusu watched Asante Kotoko beat Hearts of Oak yesterday and talked to a few fans afterwards.
Here are the details.#3SportsGH #SuperClash pic.twitter.com/euiS5SsLOC
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) May 27, 2024
Reflecting on the match, Ouattara admitted the team’s shortcomings.
“We lost the game because we didn’t play well. I don’t want to single out anyone for blame; I will talk to the boys about our performance. When the match started, I felt Kotoko deserved to win, but I had different expectations before the game.”
Ouattara emphasised that the pressure is not on him alone but on the entire team. “I’m not personally under pressure; the whole team is under pressure. We need points, and it’s a collective responsibility,” he stated.
With three matches remaining, Hearts of Oak must secure crucial points to avoid relegation. They are set to play Nations FC and Great Olympics at home and Bechem United away.
Ouattara stressed the importance of these upcoming games. “In the three remaining games, we need the points. We don’t have any choice. To get the points, we must score, and to score, we need to play simple football,” he added.
As the season draws to a close, Hearts of Oak will need to rally and deliver strong performances to ensure their survival in the Ghana Premier League.
The post Hearts of Oak coach says he is not under personal pressure after Kotoko defeat first appeared on 3News.
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