Salifu Ibrahim touts Coach Samuel Boadu's impact at Hearts of Oak
Accra Hearts of Oak midfielder, Salifu Ibrahim, has hailed coach Samuel Boadu’s impact in the team and believes his trainer’s technical ability would be crucial in seeing them win the ongoing Ghana Premier League.
Ibrahim describes coach Boadu as an influential figure in the dressing room whose man management was second to none.
Hearts have recorded a five-game winning streak in the top flight and currently lead the table with 49 points as against 47 of second-placed Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
Ibrahimn, nicknamed 'Di Maria' after the Argentine midfield star, told the Graphic Sports that the team continued to perform impressively because of coach Boadu’s technical prowess which has transformed the Phobians into credible title candidates alongside archrivals, Asante Kotoko.
“He has really transformed the team and it is because of him we are playing with a lot of confidence.
“His man management is second to none and I can only praise him for our current form. I believe he has what it takes to lead his to the title,” said Ibrahim whose form has improved under Coach Boadu.
The youngster joined Hearts from Techiman Eleven Wonders just a week before his coach's arrival from Medeama and has won the most NASCO Player of the Match awards -- seven in all -- and is a strong contender for Player of the Season award.
The Phobians are looking forward to a first league title in 2009 having failed to annex the biggest domestic prize in the last decade.
With six matches to end the season, Hearts occupy the summit and lead archrivals Kotoko with two points at the and the two giants are expected to go head to head in the title run-in, including a potential title decider when they clash in Accra on June 27.
The statistics indicate that Coach Boadu has made a big impact on the club since taking over from Serbian coach Kosta Papic on March 1. In just three months he has guided the Phobians to record eight wins with two defeats and a draw.
The Phobians have gone over a month without a loss and their last defeat was against Dreams FC in early May.
Even though Hearts faithful are looking forward to their first league title in a decade, the gaffer says his focus is on building a strong team and not focusing on winning the league despite his side's impressive showing.
With the team in high spirit, Ibrahim expects Coach Boadu to make history by ending the club’s ten-year wait for a league title.