Emmanuel Kuffour (L) and Adjah Tetteh (R) were teammates at Hearts of Oak
Former Hearts of Oak midfielder Lawrence Adjah Tetteh has shared insights into the strong winning culture that once defined the club and how senior players like Emmanuel Osei Kuffour played a pivotal role in shaping that mentality.
According to Tetteh, during an interview with Happy FM, the goal back then wasn’t just to compete locally, it was to conquer Africa. As such, joining Hearts meant stepping into a dressing room where expectations were sky-high, driven not by pressure from coaches but by the players themselves.
That spirit was cultivated by individuals who had experienced it and passed it down with pride.
“When I joined, it was players like Emmanuel Osei Kuffour who instilled that ambition. He once told me, ‘Even if you’re from another club, once you’re at Hearts, your target is Africa, every year.’ That stuck with me,” Tetteh said.
The drive to succeed, he explained, was infectious. Long before team meetings were organised by the technical bench, leaders like Sammy Adjei would rally the squad, reminding them of what was at stake, pride, the club’s legacy, and bonuses tied to continental qualification.
“That alone was enough motivation. It was a culture, a spirit, that drove us,” Tetteh added.
Now, watching from afar, Tetteh admits it pains him to see Hearts of Oak fall short of those high standards. For him, the value of competing in Africa extends beyond silverware; it encompasses visibility, experience, and legacy.
“My wish is to see the club back on that stage consistently. New players must understand that wearing the Hearts jersey is a responsibility. It’s a big platform, and when you get it, you must rise to the occasion,” he concluded.
FKA/MA
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