Accra Hearts of Oak head coach Nebojša Kapor has identified the poor quality of playing pitches as a major challenge facing Ghana football, while expressing hope that the Phobians will eventually secure a permanent home stadium.
The Bosnian-Herzegovinian coach made the remarks after Hearts of Oak defeated newly promoted Port City 1-0 in their Ghana Premier League Matchday Six fixture at the University of Ghana Stadium on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
Despite the victory, Kapor said Ghana football needed improvements in playing surfaces, adding that securing a permanent home ground would be a positive development for Hearts of Oak.
Here are the key reasons behind his concerns.
1. Poor Playing Pitches Remain a Major Challenge
Kapor believes the condition of football pitches is one of the significant challenges affecting the domestic game.
He stressed that the issue extends beyond Hearts of Oak and requires broader attention within Ghana football.
“We have to improve our team, and Ghana football already has a serious problem with pitches. I have a lot of obligations, and this is not part of them,” he told the media.
His comments highlight concerns about the playing conditions clubs encounter during domestic competitions.
2. Hearts of Oak Does Not Own Its Current Home Ground
The coach also pointed out that the University of Ghana Stadium is not owned by Hearts of Oak and serves a wider national purpose.
“This is not our stadium; it’s a national stadium. This is not just our home ground; it’s for all Ghanaians. It’s true that it’s not our stadium,” Kapor said.
His remarks underline the distinction between using a public facility and having a permanent home ground under a club’s own control.
3. A Permanent Stadium Could Give Hearts Greater Stability
Kapor expressed hope that Hearts of Oak would eventually secure a permanent stadium.
Having a dedicated home ground could give the club greater control over its match-day arrangements and provide a more consistent base for its football operations.
However, the coach did not provide details on when such a development might happen.
4. Hearts Still Has Work to Do Despite the Victory
Although pleased with the result against Port City, Kapor acknowledged that his team still needed to improve.
The narrow win secured three points for the Phobians, but the coach’s comments suggested that the team’s progress must extend beyond individual results as the season unfolds.
Hearts will need to maintain their performances as they pursue a strong campaign in the Ghana Premier League.
5. The Victory Strengthened Hearts’ Position in the League
The 1-0 victory lifted Hearts of Oak to second place in the league standings, three points behind leaders Medeama.
Port City, meanwhile, suffered their second defeat of the season and dropped to fourth place after a promising start to their first campaign in the top flight.
Hearts will travel to Tema to face Vision FC in their next league fixture, while Port City prepare to host Dreams FC as Matchday Seven takes place this weekend.
Kapor’s comments have brought renewed attention to the quality of football infrastructure in Ghana, with the coach stressing that better playing surfaces and the prospect of a permanent home ground remain important issues for Hearts of Oak and the wider domestic game.
