By Joseph Agbobl
After the departure of American-Japanese born trainer Kenichi Yatsuhashi, the Phobian fraternity was divided.
They were the most talked club in the country as Coach Ken delivered results after results and drew load of fans and football pundits to the stadium on mach days. There were issues within the management and the supporters as well.
The first round of the Ghana Premier League came to a fruitful end and Hearts was fourth on the leg log after a good start of the campaign.
The appointment of Sergio Tranguil who was supposed to be the coach for the youth side of the club didn’t go down well with many individuals.
This brought about load of controversies to the camp of the Phobians as people predicted. Though he started the second round of the league with a home victory against Dreams Fc at the Accra Sports Stadium, many weren’t convinced and doubted his capabilities to lead the club back to the good old days.
The loss to arch-rival Kumasi Asante Kotoko on penalties in the President Cup proved to be the turning point for the club.
Coach Tranguil has won over the Phobian faithful with outstanding performances and results. Week 20 fixture against Berekum Chelsea at the Nation’s Wembley couldn’t come later rather than sooner as they won by a lone goal to nil scored by Kwame Kizito.
The boys displayed fine football and there were improved performances as well. This is what the supporters of the club have been craving for after the sack of Kenichi who introduced the “sushi football”.
The Portuguese coach earlier called on fans of the club to show him some respect after weeks of criticism.
This is because the Coach is yet to convince fans fully since taking over as head coach of the Phobians. With the couple of results and performances, I think it’s time we show him respect as we did to Kenichi.
The result against Chelsea has taken Hearts to the top of the Premier League table and lead Kotoko by 5 points which could extend to 8 points should their arch-rivals lose the game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Sergio Tranquil is optimistic of the team chance against the Porcupine Warriors when the two sides battle it out on match day 21 of the Ghana Premier League.
The Reds have already beaten the Phobians twice this season and will look make it a hat trick against them when they meet. The players are fired up for this match and will aim to put one pass the 2013/2014 league champions.
If the Accra based-side wins this encounter, they will be considered real contenders for the 2015/2016 Ghana Premier League.
It will restore the club back to the glory days again and as their slogan goes “Never Say Die Until The Bones Are Rotten”.