Accra Hearts of Oak delivered one of their most complete performances in recent seasons on Sunday, brushing aside Berekum Chelsea 4-0 at the Legon Sports Stadium in a result that head coach Nebojsa Kapor described as proof of a squad growing in confidence and seriousness of purpose.
Speaking after the final whistle, Kapor was quick to credit his players and the club’s support base for the result, while acknowledging the weight of expectation that comes with representing one of Ghana’s most decorated clubs.
Congratulations to my players for a really nice game. Congratulations to all members of Accra Hearts of Oak, including our supporters who carry us during the game. This feeling is good.” Nebojsa Kapor, Hearts of Oak Head Coach
The Serbian tactician also addressed the pressure that can build around results at a club of Hearts of Oak’s stature, explaining that while he tries not to dwell on the past, external expectations inevitably filter through to the players. He was, however, unequivocal about the significance of the win to his side’s early-season form.
I don’t concentrate too much about previous, but sometimes they are putting pressure on the players. But we are really very happy because of our opening to the season. Our mindset is serious, going up. I’m sure we will continue this,” Kapor said, before turning his attention to his squad in the dressing room. “As I told the players, congratulations, enjoy today. Tomorrow we face another match, and this is our life.”
Kapor pointed to the early goal as the platform for everything that followed, noting that it released the pressure that so often accompanies must-win home fixtures.
An open game with a lot of confidence and a positive mind, because you know how it is when pressure comes, this is really difficult, and the early goal helped us. After that we opened a lot of good opportunities, scored the second goal, and we really had to control the game,” he added.
The result was built on the back of a brace from forward John Antwi, a player Kapor singled out for his consistency and experience within the Ghana Premier League. Antwi’s double took his tally for the season further and reinforced his growing importance to the Phobians’ attacking plans.
You know him, you know what he can do, and this is the reason why he is here. We are believing in him. We are not putting pressure on him either. He has to continue like he is doing in training sessions, and I am sure the goals will come.” Nebojsa Kapor, on John Antwi
By the Numbers
Sunday’s 4-0 win is the first time in six years that Hearts of Oak have won a Ghana Premier League match by a four-goal margin without conceding.
The last such result came in March 2021, a 4-0 victory against WAFA.
Before that, Hearts beat Bechem United 6-1 on 2 January that same season a campaign in which they went on to win the domestic treble.