Didi Dramani Expresses Concern Over Timing of GHALCA Top 4 Tournament
Hearts of Oak head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has voiced his concerns regarding the timing of the 2025 GHALCA Top 4 tournament, which kicks off on Wednesday, August 20.
According to the Phobians boss, the players are not yet fully prepared to last 90 minutes at this stage of pre-season, and clubs should be given the opportunity to make more than the standard three substitutions.
The Phobians, who secured fourth place in last season’s Ghana Premier League following a points deduction for Nations FC, will face Heart of Lions in their opening fixture at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. The two sides met just three days earlier, with Hearts recording a 2-0 victory to clinch the 2025 Homowo Cup.
“I think that it is a very good program for the football industry, but the timing of it is worrisome,” Dramani said after Sunday’s Homowo Cup match.
“We need to try to alter the substitutions so that, in this [Heart of Lions] game for instance, if you have just worked for two weeks, you don’t go in for a high-profile game.
“If you can do multiple substitutions, then it’s easy for you to bring in more legs so that you don’t stress. I estimated 60 minutes for some players, but I ended up pushing them to 90 minutes.
“For me, deloading is so, so important when you really want to keep players fit.”
Dramani, who replaced Aboubakar Ouattara on a two-year contract at the end of last season, will now look to balance his squad’s readiness as Hearts prepare for both the Top 4 tournament and the new Ghana Premier League campaign.