Hearts of Oak’s quest for a stable home venue has hit another snag, as the National Sports Authority (NSA) has denied them permission to play their scheduled Ghana Premier League (GPL) match against Nations FC at the Accra Sports Stadium on Wednesday.
The NSA cited a special request from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) that has not yet been approved.
This decision adds to the ongoing challenges Hearts of Oak have faced with their home venues.
Historically, the Accra Sports Stadium has been the traditional home ground for Hearts of Oak, but the team has frequently had to adapt to alternative venues due to stadium availability issues.
Previous Venue Issues
For much of the 2024-25 season, Hearts of Oak adopted the University of Ghana Stadium as their temporary home ground.
However, the University of Ghana Stadium was rejected by the GFA’s club licensing committee earlier in March 2025 for hosting GPL matches due to an uneven pitch surface and security concerns.
In previous years, the club has also shifted venues due to renovations and scheduling conflicts at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Accra Sports Stadium, with a capacity of 35,000, has hosted many of Hearts of Oak’s iconic matches, including their fierce rivalry games against Asante Kotoko.
Hearts of Oak’s venue woes have undoubtedly affected the team’s performance and morale.
The constant changes in home venues have disrupted the team’s routine and made it challenging for them to establish a strong home advantage.
As the GPL season heats up, Hearts of Oak will need to find a stable home venue to boost their chances of success.
The team is currently ranked 14th in the GPL standings, with 45 points from 34 matches.
