Hearts of Oak head coach Aboubakar Ouattara has criticized midfielder Salim Adams for his lackluster performance in the recent goalless draw against Aduana Stars.
The match, held at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon, saw Hearts playing with a numerical advantage from the 57th minute due to Aduana's Rich Mensah being sent off.
Adams, who came on as a substitute for striker Asamoah Boateng in the 68th minute, struggled to make an impact, misplacing several passes and missing a crucial opportunity late in the game that could have secured a win for Hearts.
In the post-match press conference, Ouattara expressed his dissatisfaction with Adams' display, attributing it to the pressure he placed on himself rather than his position as a striker off the bench.
“He has played this role several times, but because of the pressure he put on himself before the match, he didn’t perform. When I saw that the Aduana defense was tired, I thought Salim’s substitution would make the difference, but when he came on, he looked more tired than the player he replaced,” Ouattara remarked.
Adams has returned to Hearts after a brief spell with Major League Soccer side Cincinnati FC.
