Hearts Court Duncan As Akonnor’s Replacement
Former Ashantigold coach David Duncan could soon take charge of struggling Accra Hearts of Oak following the decision by the Phobians to dispense with the services of Charles Kwabla Akonnor who has supervised the club’s slump in the Glo Premier League.
Advertisement
Last Wednesday, the Hearts Board of Directors held an emergency meeting in an effort to stem the club’s losing streak which has seen the Phobians dropping down the league ladder to the 13th position.
Inside sources revealed to the Graphic Sports that even before last Wednesday’s crisis meeting, officials of the club had made contacts with the straight-talking Duncan who is currently without a club after parting ways with Obuasi-based Ashantigold.
In the interim, former Hearts defender Ben Adjei has been handed temporary responsibilities of the centennial club and would be in charge when Hearts play host to Real Tamale United at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday when the Premier lLague enters the sixth week.
Three successive losses to Ebusua Dwarfs, Wa All Stars and Berekum Chelsea in the five-week old league was too bitter a pill to swallow, and as the club’s supporters group began agitating for the coach’s dismissal after picking just four points out of a maximum 15, the Togbe Afede XIV-led Board ended the topsy-turvy coaching career of the former Black Stars captain.
Akonnor’s balance sheet after 220 days at the helm of Hearts’ technical bench was not something most Phobians would be proud of. Under his charge, the former Eleven Wise coach guided Hearts to 18 Glo Premier League games and won eight games, drew three and lost seven.
In fact, he personally directed affairs from the touch line in 17 league matches after missing Hearts’ loss to Berekum Arsenal drubbing, while on national duty with the national under-17 team, Black Starlets, as assistant coach.
This is not the first time outspoken Duncan has been linked with the top job at Hearts.
The man who guided Ashantigold to the second position in the Premier Peague two seasons ago, was once contacted for the job as replacement for Paa Kwesi Fabin but the one-time Accra Great Olympics player and coach declined the offer. Hearts again were in contact with the coach after the sacking of Serbian coach Nebojsa Vucicevic two seasons ago before the club settled on handing the job to Akonnor.
Some Hearts big wigs who reportedly back a move for Duncan, who spent some months in charge of South African Premier League side, Free State Stars, about three years ago, argue that the coach’s no-nonsense approach makes him the perfect candidate for the vacant job to instil discipline in the playing body
Story: Maurice Quansah/Graphic Sports