Hearts of Oak head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has raised concerns about the timing of the 2025 GHALCA Top 4 tournament, which is set to begin on Wednesday, August 20.
In his estimation, players are not ready to play 90 minutes at this stage of their preparation for the upcoming season, and clubs should be allowed to make more than three substitutions.
The Phobians, who sneaked into fourth place in the Ghana Premier League last season after Nations FC suffered a points deduction, take on Heart of Lions at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
This comes just three days after the Phobians defeated Lions 2-0 to win the 2025 Homowo Cup.
“I think that it is a very good program for the football industry, but the timing of it is worrisome,” Dramani said after the Homowo Cup game on Sunday.
“We need to try to alter the substitutions so that, in this [Heart of Lions] game for instance, if you have just worked for two weeks, you don’t go in for a high-profile game.
“If you can do multiple substitutions, then it’s easy for you to bring in more legs so that you don’t stress. I estimated 60 minutes for some players, but I ended up pushing them to 90 minutes.
“For me, deloading is so, so important when you really want to keep players fit.”
Didi Dramani was appointed Hearts of Oak coach at the end of last season, replacing Aboubakar Ouattara on a two-year deal.
