Bashir Hayford, coach of Heart of Lions, has issued a warning to Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, advising them to acquire their own stadium facilities if they aim to dominate the domestic league once more.
The two Ghanaian football powerhouses currently utilize the Baba Yara and Accra Sports Stadia, respectively, for their home matches.
Hayford asserts that relying on state-owned facilities for their games puts them at a disadvantage due to various factors affecting the local game.
He argues that stadiums like the Baba Yara Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium function almost as neutral grounds for other clubs, hindering Kotoko and Hearts' home advantage.
The former Kotoko boss highlights the lack of consistent training opportunities on state-owned facilities for the two clubs and suggests that security and other conditions create a fairer playing field for opponents. Conversely, clubs with private stadiums often intimidate opposing teams and referees, leading to unfairness.
In an exclusive interview with Kumasi-based Akoma 87.9 FM, Coach Bashir Hayford emphasized, “As Ghanaians we must learn to tell the truth, it will be very difficult for teams who do not have their own stadium facility to win the league,” he stated.
He pointed out that while Kotoko and Hearts of Oak do not play at their own venues, clubs like Samatex, Nsoatreman, and Bechem have their own stadium facilities.
Hayford recounted frustrations from a recent match against Bechem United, where he felt his team faced mistreatment.
He stated, “When you travel to these privately owned facilities, you really go through a lot of intimidation and the referees can’t be independent. Your chances of winning at such private venues are very slim unlike the state owned venues like Accra and Kumasi where security is assured and level playing grounds exits for all competing teams”
In conclusion, he urged Kotoko and Hearts of Oak to secure their own stadiums, emphasizing that without this, winning the league would be challenging.
“Hearts and Kotoko must get their own stadium, otherwise winning the league will become difficult”
