Hearts of Oak turn to veteran John Antwi to end goal drought

Hearts of Oak have turned to 33‑year‑old striker John Antwi to plug a long‑standing goal shortage as they head into a new Ghana Premier League campaign after four trophy‑less seasons. The club hopes his experience will revive their attack and bring the silverware that has eluded them since June 2022.

Addressing the goal‑scoring void

Hearts of Oak have endured a four‑season trophy drought, last winning the Ghana FA Cup in June 2022. The club’s attack has struggled to find the goals needed to compete for silverware. The Phobians won their last major trophy in June 2022, successfully defending the Ghana FA Cup, but have not added another piece of silverware since.

The lack of firepower has become a pressing issue as the new Ghana Premier League season approaches, prompting the management to seek a proven scorer. Fans have voiced frustration over the lack of decisive finishes in recent matches. The club’s management identified the need for a seasoned striker to revitalize the attack ahead of the league.

Deal and experience details

The club unveiled John Antwi during a pre‑season friendly against All Blacks at Kpobiman on Friday.The ceremony featured the phrase Antwi[/caption]Hearts as fans watched the announcement. The event took place as Hearts continued preparations for the upcoming Ghana Premier League season.

The 33‑year‑old forward completed a move from Dreams FC on a two‑year deal and expressed delight at joining the Phobians, a club he has supported all his life. Antwi joins the Phobians for the first time in his senior career, having never played for the club before. He is a lifelong Hearts of Oak fan and this is his first senior spell with the team.

Antwi brings a wealth of experience, having played for Ismaily, Al Shabab, Al Ahly, Misr El‑Makasa and Pyramids before returning to Ghana. His time abroad exposed him to different tactical systems, enhancing his versatility. His career also includes a spell with Dreams FC, marking his return to Ghanaian football.

He has also earned two caps for the Ghana national team, adding international pedigree to his résumé. Those appearances underline his ability to perform at the highest level. These caps underline his experience at the highest international level.

Hearts hope Antwi can solve their striking problems, provide the goals required to improve fortunes, and help end the trophy drought as the season kicks off. Club officials believe his presence will lift the morale of the attacking unit. The club believes his goals will be pivotal in breaking the four‑season trophy drought.

The forward will join the squad’s final preparations for the upcoming Ghana Premier League campaign, with the club counting on his experience to make an immediate impact. Any lingering fitness concerns will be addressed during the remaining pre‑season fixtures. He will be monitored during the remaining pre‑season fixtures to ensure full fitness.