Hearts of Oak head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has expressed concern over his squad’s fitness levels, admitting the players are not yet conditioned to last a full 90 minutes as the Phobians prepare to kick off their campaign in the 2025 GHALCA Top 4 tournament.
The competition kicks off on Wednesday, August 20, with the Phobians set to face Heart of Lions at 6 p.m. at the University of Ghana Stadium. The fixture arrives just three days after Hearts defeated the same opponents 2-0 to win the Homowo Cup.
“I think that it is a very good program for the football industry, but the timing of it is worrisome,” Dramani said after Sunday’s victory. He argued that players are still in early pre-season and should not be pushed into full competitive action so soon.
The coach further appealed for more flexibility with substitutions, insisting the current limit of three does not suit teams still building fitness. “If you can do multiple substitutions, then it’s easy for you to bring in more legs so that you don’t stress. I estimated 60 minutes for some players, but I ended up pushing them to 90 minutes.”
“For me, deloading is so, so important when you really want to keep players fit,” he added.
