Duncan ready for Phobian pressure

Newly appointed Hearts of Oak Coach, David Duncan says he is aware of the pressure that comes with handling the coaching duties of the Phobian club but insists he is prepared for the challenge ahead.

Coach Duncan, who replaced sacked CK Akunnor, held his first training session with Hearts of Oak yesterday at the El Wak Stadium in Accra, shortly after his official presentation to the playing body and the technical staff.


Coach Duncan told PRAVDA SPORTS 93.5fm, “I wonder where there is no pressure as far this job is concerned. It is everywhere. The coaching job goes with pressure so the only difference in all of this arrangement is the personnel that I am working with. They are not the same as I have had it with other clubs so I think that feeds into what I have to expect with the outcome at this club in the coming days and weeks.”


The ex-AshantiGold trainer will take charge of his first game as new Phobian Coach during the Ghana Premier League Super Clash against Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday.


Coach David Duncan explains he is familiar with the strengths of the Kotoko, but was quick to state that his main challenge will how to make a winning team out of this Hearts of Oak set-up he just inherited.


He said, “The only difference is that I am playing against Kotoko from a new technical bench with a team that I have never worked with before. But, I have met Kotoko in the several years that I have been involved in this profession with Olympics, Hasaacas and Ashgold. So, it won’t be a completely different chemistry to expect as far as the opponent is concerned but it’s just that this time around it is a completely different bench.”

Fans of Hearts of Oak, who are widely known to be highly impatient, are counting on Coach Duncan to reverse the club’s recent streak of disappointing results, starting with a win against the Porcupine Warriors.


But, Hearts of Oak management member, Aziz Haruna Futah insists Phobians fans should not expect quick results from Coach David Duncan but must back the ex-Great Olympics Coach to churns out positive results.


Mr. Haruna Futah said, “We shouldn’t expect any magic now. In fact he (Duncan) has a very big task playing against Kotoko. The supporters should not put pressure on Duncan but support him physically and spiritually to do his job.”


Hearts of Oak have so far secured two wins, one draw and three successive defeats out six matches played in the domestic top flight this term.