Accra: Hearts of Oak's decision to involve military personnel in their pre-season preparations has sparked debate among supporters ahead of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season. The Phobians are currently in training camp as they prepare for the upcoming journey, with the club bringing in members of the military to assist with physical conditioning sessions.
According to Ghana Web, the move has divided opinions among fans, with some questioning whether soldiers should be responsible for training professional footballers. Some supporters argued that the club should rather rely on specialised football fitness experts who understand the physical demands of modern football.
A fan expressed, 'Chale Hearts of Oak management are not serious. Never in my life have I seen soldiers dey train footballers before. And you had the audacity to do a video,' while another added, 'Get a well-qualified physical instructor about football, not about military.'
Others, however, defended the decision, insisting that military personnel could help improve the players' fitness levels during the pre-season period. One fan noted, 'With our fitness coach Jordan Daitey away on national duty with the Black Queens, it makes sense to bring in highly qualified military fitness experts to help the team.'
The club's decision comes as Hearts of Oak continue preparations under new coach Nebojsa Kapor.