Accra Hearts of Oak head coach Nebojsa Kapor has expressed concern about the condition of football pitches in Ghana, insisting that improvements to playing surfaces are necessary when assessing performances in the domestic league.
His comments came after the Phobians secured a 1-0 victory over Port City FC at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon on Sunday, ending a three-game winless run in the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League.
Speaking after the Matchday Six encounter, Kapor highlighted the wider challenges confronting Ghanaian football facilities, stressing that the University of Ghana Stadium is a national facility rather than a dedicated home ground for Hearts. “This stadium is not our stadium, and Ghana football has a very serious problem with fields,” the Serbian tactician remarked.
Kapor Calls for Better Playing Surfaces
Kapor argued that the quality of playing surfaces should form part of the conversation when evaluating teams’ performances, although he declined to dwell extensively on issues outside his immediate responsibilities as head coach.
The Hearts manager acknowledged that several factors need attention across Ghanaian football, suggesting that the challenges extend beyond individual clubs and their performances on the pitch.
“I’m not going to talk about these things because I have a lot of obligations. I don’t deal with these things, but that aspect also we have to always mention if we are going about performance.”
Nebojsa Kapor, Hearts of Oak Head Coach
His remarks come at a time when Hearts have been forced to play their home matches at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon, with the Accra Sports Stadium unavailable following its closure for maintenance works.
The Accra Sports Stadium was shut during preparations for Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against The Gambia, which the Black Stars lost, leaving Hearts to temporarily relocate their home fixtures.
Tinkler Echoed Same Concerns
Former Asante Kotoko head coach Eric Tinkler raised similar concerns about the state of pitches in Ghana shortly after joining the Porcupine Warriors.
The South African tactician argued that the poor condition of playing surfaces makes it difficult for players to develop their technical abilities.
Tinkler’s comments came just days into his spell at Kotoko, which ended after only four matchdays in the Ghana Premier League. His observations highlighted the challenges facing coaches who seek to improve players’ technical quality and implement their preferred style of football in the domestic league.
The concerns expressed by both coaches point to a wider infrastructure issue, with the quality of playing surfaces emerging as an important consideration for clubs seeking to improve performance and player development.
Duku Delivers as Hearts Return to Winning Ways
Despite Kapor’s concerns about the state of football infrastructure, the Hearts coach was pleased with the outcome against Port City, as Hearts returned to winning ways through Frank Aborah Duku’s first-half strike.
Duku scored his first goal the season to hand the Phobians their third victory of the campaign, ending a difficult spell in which they had gone three consecutive league matches without a win.
The result was particularly important for Hearts as they sought to maintain their position among the leading sides in the league following an encouraging start to the season.
Kapor maintained that his team could perform well both at home and away, rejecting the suggestion that having a dedicated home stadium would necessarily guarantee different results. “I’m really sure our team is good on home grounds like away,” he said, underlining his belief in the squad’s ability to compete regardless of the venue.
When asked whether playing at their own ground would produce better results, the coach remained cautious, responding that every team was different.
His comments suggest that while he considers the quality of pitches an important issue, he does not intend to use the current circumstances as an excuse for his team’s performances.
Hearts Move Second Ahead of Tema Trip
The victory over Port City lifted Hearts of Oak to second place in the Ghana Premier League standings with 11 points from six matches.
The Phobians now sit three points behind defending champions Medeama SC, who occupy the top position as the competition gathers momentum.
With their winning momentum restored, Hearts will turn their attention to their next league assignment, an away fixture at the Nii Adjei Okraku II Sports Complex in Tema New Town.
The encounter will provide another test for Kapor’s side as they look to build consistency and remain within touching distance of the league leaders.
However, the concerns raised by Kapor and Tinkler underline the importance of addressing playing conditions as part of broader efforts to improve Ghanaian football.
Beyond results, the quality of pitches can influence how teams play, how coaches develop their squads and how young footballers acquire essential technical skills.
For Hearts, the immediate priority will be to maintain their push near the top of the table while adapting to their temporary home arrangements.
And for Ghana football, the repeated concerns from coaches raise questions about whether existing facilities adequately support the development and ambitions of clubs and players.
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