As Ghana’s 2025/26 Premier League season draws nearer, Accra Hearts of Oak — one of the country’s most storied clubs — are set to usher in a new era by unveiling a completely revamped technical team. This ambitious restructuring signals the club’s commitment to turning the page on recent disappointments and positioning themselves once again among Ghana’s elite.
According to multiple close sources and reports confirmed by SportyGhana, a quartet of respected local coaches are being tipped for key roles in the Hearts of Oak technical setup. Leading the team will be the experienced and tactically astute Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, with seasoned support from Abdulai Gazale, Fiifi Parker Hanson, and Najahu Issa. If confirmed, the appointments would constitute a bold, forward-looking move by the Phobians.
Didi Dramani Poised to Take Charge
At the helm of this new technical team will be Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, a coach with a deep résumé in Ghanaian and continental football. Dramani, who previously managed Asante Kotoko to back-to-back league titles and served in technical roles with Ghana’s U-20 and senior national teams, is known for his sharp tactical acumen, discipline, and emphasis on youth development.
His potential appointment comes as a replacement for Aboubakar Outtarra, the Ivorian trainer whose short and turbulent spell with the club left the Phobians struggling for consistency during the 2024/25 season. Under Outtarra, Hearts of Oak failed to establish a coherent identity on the field and struggled to mount any significant challenge in the league.
Dramani’s arrival, by contrast, promises structure, strategy, and a long-term vision. His style of football is built on possession-based play, structured pressing, and player education, making him a good fit for a club looking to develop both youth and results.
In recent years, Dramani has served as part of Ghana’s national team technical setup and worked with the Right to Dream Academy. His experience at both elite and developmental levels is expected to reshape Hearts’ approach on and off the field.
Abdulai Gazale to Support as Assistant Coach
Expected to join Dramani as his first assistant is Abdulai Gazale, a coach with considerable experience in both youth and senior football. Gazale, who previously worked with Asante Kotoko and currently heads Basake Holy Stars, is lauded for his meticulous approach to training and his effectiveness with young players.
Gazale holds a CAF License A coaching certificate and is known for being tactically flexible. His appointment would offer strong complementarity to Dramani’s vision — reinforcing the club’s renewed emphasis on youth and technical excellence.
When asked about the rumors by Ghanasportspage.com, Gazale responded cryptically: “Yes, some talks are ongoing,” hinting that while nothing is officially confirmed yet, the deal is close to completion.
Fiifi Parker Hanson Lined Up as First Assistant Coach
In an interesting twist, Fiifi Parker Hanson — who recently rose to national prominence by leading Golden Kick FC to the 2025 MTN FA Cup final — is rumored to be taking up a First Assistant Coach role. The position could see a reshuffling in titling and responsibilities, but Hanson’s inclusion in the backroom team is almost certain, sources claim.
Though his Golden Kick side lost narrowly to Asante Kotoko in the final — courtesy of a late and controversial penalty — Hanson’s tactical versatility and ability to organize teams with limited resources earned him widespread praise.
He is especially known for his work in talent nurturing and in-game strategy adjustments, two attributes that Hearts will need if they are to correct the technical and tactical deficiencies seen last season. At only 38, Hanson also represents a youthful, progressive approach to coaching that Hearts fans can rally behind.
Najahu Issa Tipped to Be New Goalkeepers’ Trainer
Completing the expected new look of the Hearts of Oak technical bench is Najahu Issa, who is being lined up to serve as the Goalkeeper’s Trainer. His work will be crucial in revitalizing a goalkeeping department that lacked consistency in the previous campaign.
Hearts of Oak conceded a worrying number of goals in the latter part of the 2024/25 season, with lapses in concentration, poor command of the area, and distribution issues plaguing the team. The appointment of a specialized, modern-minded goalkeepers’ trainer like Issa is viewed as a key move toward improving the team’s overall defensive solidity.
A Strategic Technical Overhaul: What This Means for Hearts
The possible appointments of Dramani, Gazale, Hanson, and Issa suggest that Hearts of Oak are not merely replacing personnel — they are seeking to build a long-term footballing philosophy. For a club with a rich legacy but turbulent recent history, this overhaul provides an opportunity to rebuild on a foundation of technical rigor, youth empowerment, and modern coaching principles.
Notably, all four coaches being considered are locally based and deeply familiar with the Ghanaian football landscape. This marks a strategic shift away from the club’s recent flirtations with foreign coaches and foreign methods, some of which failed to yield sustained success.
Preparation for 2025/26: The Road Ahead
With the President’s Cup and the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season looming, time is of the essence. Once confirmed, the new technical team is expected to hit the ground running with a comprehensive pre-season programme focused on:
Assessing player fitness and form
Implementing a new tactical framework
Identifying areas for reinforcement in the transfer market
Promoting promising talents from the youth side
Instilling a competitive mentality
Hearts of Oak fans, often vocal and passionate, will be hoping this bold direction translates to performances on the pitch. After years of disappointment, the club’s faithful are longing for a return to the days when Hearts was a feared name not only in Ghana but across Africa.
Conclusion: A New Era Beckons for the Phobians
If all goes according to plan, the 2025/26 season could mark the beginning of a new era at Accra Hearts of Oak. The expected unveiling of Mas-Ud Didi Dramani and his accomplished support staff underscores a deliberate shift toward structure, sustainability, and technical excellence.
By assembling a bench full of experienced, Ghana-bred tacticians with proven track records in youth development and modern football philosophy, the club is laying down a marker — not just for domestic dominance, but also for future continental campaigns.
For now, all eyes remain on the Phobians’ headquarters as fans and pundits alike await the official confirmation of the new technical team — a group that, if properly supported, could finally restore Hearts of Oak to its rightful place at the summit of Ghanaian football.
