Hearts of Oak head coach Aboubakar Ouattara has taken a drastic measure to address the ongoing contract impasse with midfielder Salifu Ibrahim, banning the player from training with the rest of the squad until further notice.
The decision comes as a result of Ibrahim’s nonchalant attitude towards extending his stay with the Phobians, despite his contract with the club already expiring. Despite offers of a Ghc10,000 monthly salary, the 24-year-old midfielder remains unwilling to commit to the capital-based side.
With the club resuming training ahead of the upcoming Democracy Cup game early next month, Ouattara hopes to prepare his team adequately to take on arch-rivals Kotoko, having lost their recent two matches against them.
Ibrahim’s absence from training is seen as a strategy to focus on other players and prepare them for the upcoming fixture.
The 24-year-old midfielder joined Hearts of Oak in February 2021 and has been instrumental in the club’s success, particularly helping them win the Ghana Premier League title in the 2020/21 season.
In the just-ended season, he contributed two goals and ten assists in 32 league appearances, showcasing his value and attracting interest from top clubs like Kotoko, Medeama SC, and others.
