Heart of Lions Football Club has appointed seasoned coach Bashir Hayford as their new head coach for the remainder of the season.
The 65-year-old strategist assumes control from Fatawu Salifu, who was recently dismissed due to a series of disappointing results in the ongoing 2023-24 campaign.
Hayford’s contract extends until the conclusion of the current season, providing an option for an extension based on his ability to guide the club to safety. Currently positioned at the bottom of the Ghana Premier League table after fifteen rounds, Heart of Lions has been grappling with winless performances since their return to the top-flight.
The Kpando-based club has accumulated just 8 points from 13 matches, with two games in hand. Hayford, whose last coaching role in the Ghana Premier League was with Legon Cities FC from November 2020 to August 2021, now faces the challenge of steering Lions away from their current struggles.
Prior to his stint with Legon Cities, the former Asante Kotoko and AshantiGold SC coach managed the Somalia national team from March 2019 to February 2020. Hayford also served as the head coach of the Ghana women’s national team, the Black Queens, during the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations held in Ghana.
This marks Hayford’s return to Heart of Lions for a second spell, having previously coached the team during the 2006/2007 season.