Soccer News of Tuesday, 21 July 2015
Source: Graphic.com.gh
Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe
Accra Hearts of Oak’s outspoken director, Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has revealed that in-fighting within the club is to be blamed for the Phobians’ recent slump in form, describing some former club operatives as disruptive elements seeking the club’s failure.
He said while the current administration had sought ways to restore stability and eventual glory to the club, public pronouncements and actions by supposed supporters had proven negative to the club’s ambitions.
“Unfortunately, our detractors, rather than being part of the solution, choose to be part of the problem by making pronouncements that crush the team’s morale,” he told Graphic Sports in an interview at the weekend.
Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe, known for his frank disposition, is alarmed at the club’s recent failings on the field which have left them too close to the relegation zone for comfort.
The result has been a barrage of verbal attacks on the current administration of the club, with majority shareholder and board chairman Togbe Afede XIV being the chief target in the media space.
Indeed, the critics have included former management members Harry Zakkour and Ernest Thompson, who have not spared the opportunity to publicly diagnose the afflictions of the club, their microscope always zeroing in on particularly the board, with easy references to its chairman.
“What we see is our people who want the team to fail, and, therefore, constantly attack the board and management. This is not healthy,” Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe said.
“What the club needs now is to close ranks and support the players, management and board to succeed.
“The current board is made up of committed Phobians who meet regularly to find innovative solutions to the challenges facing management and the club as a whole. We provide management with timely directions without interfering with the day-to-day operations.
“What we need is the patience to navigate through the challenges,” he said.
In a reference that seemed to address the club’s present on-field circumstances, Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe said football “has evolved radically to become more competitive and challenging as clubs become more sophisticated and well-resourced”.
He said the quick departures of budding talents from local shores to foreign leagues have robbed local clubs, including Hearts, of matured senior players who would otherwise mentor junior ones.