The Paramount Chief of the Gbese Traditional Area, Dr Nii Ayi Bonte II has thrown his support behind Hearts of Oak’s bid for the Ghana Premier League title, urging the club to rise above the challenges of running football in the country.
Nii Gbese, known in private Life as Tommy Okine - a former Hearts of Oak guru who doubles as the Adonten of the Ga State, is a former board chairman and CEO of the Phobians, played a key role in the club’s famous treble-winning season in 1999/2000 when Hearts clinched the league, FA Cup and CAF Champions League.
“To run football in this country is not so easy. Always I’ve been told that Togbe Afede is doing very well. We also need to give him the support to achieve the aim,” Nii Ayi-Bonte told CitiSports.
He added that the club’s supporters must show stronger commitment as Hearts look to end a three-year wait for a league crown.
“For now, I’ll say we need to win the league this year. Definitely. We have come back, we’ll give our quarter and support our brother,” he said.
Hearts of Oak beat Heart of Lions to claim the 2025 Homowo Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday as part of their pre-season build-up.
The Phobians finished fourth last season but remain determined to return to the summit of Ghanaian football under renewed leadership and technical direction
Reporting by: Pascal Amoah
