The pressure is mounting on Hearts of Oak head coach Aboubakar Ouattara, and his frustration was evident when he clashed with a journalist following their 1-0 defeat to Bechem United on Wednesday.
A 52nd-minute goal from Kofi Tompuo sealed Hearts’ second consecutive loss, further denting their title aspirations.
During the post-match press conference, Ouattara appeared visibly upset when asked about Hearts' chances of winning the league.
The coach, who had previously expressed ambitions of clinching the title, reacted sharply to the journalist's question.
"Did I tell you that the ambition is to win the league? Did I tell you that? Let’s be disciplined. Here is not Makola market," he retorted, referencing a bustling commercial hub in Accra to emphasize his frustration.
When pressed further on why a club of Hearts' stature should not be aiming for the league title, Ouattara urged reporters to look at the league standings.
"Go and look at the table, and you make your full opinion. In the league, we have 12 matches, and 12 matches are 36 points. It’s a league. Let us finish the league. On 8th June, we shall talk about the league," he insisted.
With Hearts currently in fifth place, four points behind league leaders Bibiani Gold Stars, Sunday’s clash against Gold Stars will be crucial in determining their chances.