The Chief Executive of six-time premier league champions, Thomas Okine, has declared that the title will remain the bonafide property of Accra Hearts of Oak so long as he leads the club.
He has therefore assured the Phobian fraternity to prepare for another celebration in the coming season, as the championship is an already done deal. He indicated his commitment to ensure a seven straight championship in the final of his two-year term next year and stressed that the trend will continue if he is given another term.
Making this revelation in an interview with the Graphic Sports, Okine only exhorted the other contenders including Kumasi Asante Kotoko to remain patient in the queue while awaiting their turn after the 10-year ambitious reign by the Phobians.
On the occasion the Hearts Chief Executive, who noted how proud he was about the historic victory, was simply overjoyed by the fact that it coincided with the team's 91st birthday anniversary.
According to him, much as he held closest rivals Kotoko in high esteem for what he described as one of the toughest challenges ever mounted by them throughout his long association with Hearts, it never crossed his mind that they would ever surrender their lead.
He noted that the best yet from Hearts should be expected next season where they will definitely raise the standards even higher on all fronts.
"All should expect a different Hearts of Oak next year," he emphasised. He, however, wished Kotoko, Great Olympics, Liberty Professionals and the other clubs to keep up the spirit in the coming years for the betterment of Ghana football.
"The secret to our success was discipline and dedication on the part of the playing body," he revealed. Okine also spoke highly of Coach Herbert Addo for his commitment and promised to renew his contract for another season.
Reflecting on the just ended season, he recalled that the first round clash against Power FC in which Hearts won 1-0 through a penalty was their toughest in the series while singling out joint top scorer, Charles Taylor as the most outstanding player in his outfit.
He disclosed that his other target will be to restore the Africa glory next year after this year's early fiasco of a title defence. To this end, he underlined his intention to revamp the team with some targeted local players whom he declined to disclose for strategic reason.
Touching on refereeing, he gave the knights of the whistle 70 percent for their performance and urged all to understand them when they go wrong since they are fallible being human beings.
He therefore explained that he has psyched up his players not to challenge referees' decisions on the field of play and also introduced a concept in the club where referees are constantly invited to update players on the rules of the game.
He called on the various chapters to rally behind the management with total support to enable it to realise its dreams.
Meanwhile, Hearts are currently taking part in a special four-club invitational tournament in Libya. Other participating teams are the hosts, Al-Ittihad and El-Ahly. Hearts who travelled without head coach, Herbert Addo, are expected back home on Friday.
