‘The return of Kosta Papic will raise Hearts of Oak’ – Ex- Ghana Star

Former Ghana and Accra Hearts of Oak defender Sam ‘Foyoo’ Johnson believes the return of Serbian trainer Kosta Papic will restore the club’s dignity and glory.

The 60-year-old Papic returns to the Phobians 11 years after leading them to the 2008/09 Ghana Premier League title during his one-year stint with the club. Incidentally, it was the last time Hearts won the Ghana Premier League.

The Serbian gaffer will be assisted by Asare Bediako, who was appointed assistant coach in November.

Meanwhile, Odoom, who had been in charge of the Phobians since the exit of the club’s Director of Football and head coach, Kim Grant, in December last year, has been handed responsibility for Hearts’ junior side, Auroras, with immediate effect.

Papic takes over a side which has managed just a point in two matches this season and sit at the bottom of the league log. His first assignment will be to lead the Phobians against league leaders Karela United in the fourth-week fixture in Accra on Friday.

“Papic is not a foreigner, he has been here before but I don’t know if he is the same Papic. I prefer he was here before the start of the season,” Johnson told Kumasi-based OTEC FM.

“His (Papic) return will raise the team because every player will fight to be in his starting lineup. The way things are going, the management needs to act fast” He added.

Since leaving the shores of Ghana, the Serbian continued his career on the continent where he coached various clubs, including Young Africans of Tanzania, South African sides Black Leopards, Chippa United, Polokwane City and Royal Eagles.

He was appointed national coach of eSwatini (formerly known as Swaziland) in December 2018 and left the role in December 2019.