Hohoe United coach Rahim Bashiru analyses tactics which worked against Hearts of Oak

Hohoe United head coach Tijani Abdul Rahim Bashiru has broken down the tactical blueprint that enabled his newly promoted side to secure a stunning goalless draw against Hearts of Oak in their Ghana Premier League opener at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Bashiru revealed that meticulous pre-match analysis formed the foundation of their approach.

"We knew exactly the team we were coming to meet," he explained. "We studied Hearts of Oak's pre-season performances during the Top Four tournament and their game against Great Olympics. This allowed us to equip our team tactically and mentally for the challenge."

The coach emphasised that their strategy centered on defensive organisation and mental resilience rather than attempting to outplay the Phobians physically.

"Playing against Hearts of Oak is not all about physical ability," Bashiru noted. "We focused on maintaining defensive shape, closing spaces, and remaining mentally strong throughout the match."

The tactical plan was severely tested when Hohoe went down to ten men after Solomon Adomako's second-half red card, but Bashiru's team adapted flawlessly.

The result validates Hohoe's preparation methods and provides a template for other newly promoted teams facing daunting away fixtures against Ghana's football giants.

The coach's tactical mastery now sets the stage for Hohoe's next challenge as they seek to build on this impressive start in their upcoming home fixture against his former side Young Apostles.