The Head Coach of Bechem United, Mohammed Bashar Ogba, believes that Hearts of Oak rode on luck to secure a goalless draw in their Matchday 3 clash at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra on Sunday. According to him, the outcome of the game was not a true reflection of the match, with Hearts being very fortunate to escape defeat. The draw left some Hearts of Oak fans unhappy, while Bechem United fans and technical team members celebrated, seeing it as a positive result.
Coach Ogba expressed his disappointment at the scoreline, noting that it did not accurately represent the game. He mentioned that his team had a strategy that rendered Hearts toothless and brought them close to a win. In an interview with The Ghanaian Times, Coach Ogba said that Hearts of Oak have never beaten any team with him in charge, providing a psychological boost for him and his team ahead of the game.
Coach Ogba has a history of success against Hearts of Oak, having defeated them 2-1 with Nigerien side Sahel FC in an international friendly in 2018. He also knocked them out of the 2025/26 MTN FA Cup campaign with Tema-based Division Two side True Life Academy at their own backyard in Pobiman. According to him, his plan to secure a third win over Hearts did not materialize because luck favored them.
The CAF license certificate holder stated that he always finds a way to turn fans against teams with large followings, which he did in this game. However, luck eluded his team, allowing Hearts to escape. Coach Ogba emphasized that his target for the first round is to finish among the top four clubs, ensuring they have enough points to guarantee safety.
Coach Ogba's ultimate ambition is to secure a top-three finish at the end of the season. He took charge of Bechem United just four days before the start of the new season, having previously coached Inter Allies, Rising Star Academy, Vodafone FC, Rago Stars, Zaytuna FC, Steadfast FC, and Danbort FC, as well as AS SONIDEP in Niger and De Sapele Lions FC in Nigeria.
Coach Ogba urged the team's supporters to stay united and support the club, creating a feel-good atmosphere at home to help the team record more victories. He encouraged them to look forward to their upcoming game against Dreams FC on Matchday 4. The coach's strategy and determination were evident in the game, as his team pushed for a win against Hearts of Oak.
The goalless draw was a significant result for both teams, with Hearts of Oak avoiding a third consecutive defeat and Bechem United securing a valuable point. Coach Ogba's comments highlight the competitive nature of the Ghana Premier League and the challenges teams face in securing victories.
Key points
- Coach Ogba believes Hearts of Oak were lucky to escape defeat.
- Bechem United's target is to finish among the top four clubs in the first round.
- Coach Ogba has a history of success against Hearts of Oak.
