Hearts move to prune down squad

Accra Hearts of Oak’s new head coach, Herbert Addo, believes it is better to have a small, manageable effective team than to have a large number, half of whom are not utilised most of the season.

Consequently, he has expressed the desire to prune the current team to a 25-man squad to satisfy his quest to “redirect, re-shape and refocus’ the Phobians.

Under a directive from the Board, management has, however, registered 30 players for the season.

Out of this number, five will be ultimately put on transfer list after a comprehensive assessment of their performance.

The players registered to play for the team include: goalkeepers Sammy-Adjei, James Nanor and Eben Dida. Defender: Kwame Antwi, Hassan Mohammed, Dan Oppong, Dan Quaye, Stephen Tetteh, Kwabena Boafo, Rechard Nii Noi.

Midfielders: Joe Ansah, Adjah Tetteh, Massawudu Yahaya, Awuley Quaye Jnr, Laryea Kingstong, Charles Allotey, Kenneth Sarpong, Edmund Copson, Abdul Razak, Samuel Monie and Bernard Don-Bortey.

Forward: Charles Taylor, Emmanuel Donkor, George Eranio, Wisdom Abbey, Frank Turkson and Awudu Adama.

Sani Wahab and Agyeman Dua, who are recuperating from injury, have a special dispensation and based upon doctor’s advice, a decision will be taken about them.

Osumanu Amadu is also under a special dispensation and will be assessed for a month.

Three players, Emmanuel Yartey, Odartey Lawson and Philip Oguaa, have been put on transfer list, while Stephen Owusu (Dwarfs), Forster Bastious (Liberty Pro) and Owusu Afriyie (F/C Malaga), who were loaned to the club, have been released back to those clubs.

Former skipper Jacob Nettey, Emmanuel Adjogu, Amankwaa Mireku and Emmamuel Osei Kuffour are bound for foreign contracts.