Hearts of Oak coach Nebojša Kapor publicly highlighted Ghana’s longstanding problems with football pitches after his side’s 1-0 Ghana Premier League win over Port City FC at the University of Ghana Stadium on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
Match Context
In Matchday Six of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League, Hearts of Oak (the Phobians/Rainbow Club) defeated newly promoted Port City FC 1-0. Frank Abora Duku scored the decisive goal with a header in the 20th minute. This ended Hearts’ three-game winless run (which had included a goalless draw with Dreams FC and a 1-0 loss to Karela United) and secured their third league victory of the campaign.
The result lifted Hearts to second place with 11 points from six matches, three points behind leaders and defending champions Medeama SC. Port City dropped to fourth after their second defeat of the season. Hearts had dealt with injury issues ahead of the game; Kapor noted the victory was more important than the quality of the performance, as his side scored early but struggled to fully control the match afterward. He expressed satisfaction with the players’ response. Hearts were next scheduled to face Vision FC.
Kelvin Osei Asibey was named Man of the Match for his defensive display. One report noted Hearts finished with 10 men.
Kapor’s Comments on the Pitch and Stadium
Speaking to the media after the match, the Bosnian-Herzegovinian coach addressed perceptions around the University of Ghana Stadium and broader infrastructure issues. The venue has served as Hearts’ temporary home because the Accra Sports Stadium was unavailable due to maintenance.
Kapor indicated that while pitch quality is a factor that should be considered in performance assessments, he does not treat the lack of a dedicated home ground as an excuse. He expressed confidence that his team can perform well both at home and away, and he has previously voiced hope that Hearts will eventually secure a permanent stadium.
These comments echo concerns he raised earlier in his Ghanaian career (for example as Medeama coach in 2024 about the Legon, Baba Yara, Accra, and Cape Coast pitches) and align with observations from other coaches, such as former Asante Kotoko coach Eric Tinkler, who noted that poor surfaces hinder technical development.
Background on Kapor and the Club
Nebojša Kapor was appointed Hearts of Oak head coach in late July 2026 on a two-year deal, succeeding Mas-Ud Didi Dramani. He holds a UEFA Pro Licence and has prior Ghanaian experience with Tema Youth (Division One), Bechem United, and Medeama SC. He is familiar with the country’s football environment and its infrastructure challenges.
Hearts of Oak, one of Ghana’s most historic clubs (founded 1911, multiple league titles, CAF Champions League winners in 2000, among other honours), have used the University of Ghana Stadium as a temporary base amid Accra Sports Stadium issues. Poor pitch quality across Ghanaian venues has been a recurring theme, affecting play quality, player development, and even international fixtures.