Three former players of Accra Hearts of Oak have taken prominent positions within the chieftaincy world after retiring from football.
The great Douglas Nii Armah Tagoe, who made his Hearts debut in 1976 during a 1-0 victory over Akotex is the reigning overlord of Tantra Hills in Accra.
His former teammate, George Nii Tackie and young Nuhu Mohammed all have made the practice of traditional belief a major part of their post-playing careers.
✅ DOUGLAS TAGOE (Nii Afra Kakaban l)
The former Black Stars and Hearts forward was installed Chief of Tantra Hills, five years ago under the stool name, Nii Afra Kakaban l.
His Clan is under Asere Kotopon Division of the Ga Traditional Council.
Douglas Tagoe was a brilliant left winger and a goalscorer with exceptional attacking skills such as positioning and finishing.
He finished the 1977/78 season with 19 goals – five adrift of Mohammed Choo who emerged the top scorer.
In 1978, Tagoe’s talent and hard-work were rewarded when he was named SWAG Young Amazing Player (now The Most Promising Player).
Tagoe played for Nigeria giants, Leventis United, Arab Contractors of Egypt and Africa Sports in Cote D’voire.
His trophy haul reads; four Ghana League titles, two FA Cups, one Super Cup, one Gala trophy, one SWAG Cup, one Nigeria FA Cup, one Cote D’voire league title and one Egypt league title.
✅ NUHU MOHAMMED (Wuro Nuhu Mohammed Suurutawee)
The story of Nuhu Mohammed is well-known by many. After saying goodbye to football, Nuhu followed in his family’s footsteps by becoming an heir apparent.
Nuhu Mohammed was enstooled in March, 2014 as Chief of Tem Kotokoli Community in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality. His stool name is Wuro Nuhu Mohammed Suurutawee.
Nuhu succeeded his father, Wuro Mohammed Mumuni Barraw ll, who died in April, 2009 after over 20-year reign.
Nuhu Mohammed was one of the best wingers and attacking midfielders of his generation, particularly for Neoplan Stars, Hearts of Oak, Hasaacas and Kwaebibrem.
The former National U20 playmaker retired from playing in 2001 after spending his final season at Kwaebibrem.
He’s perhaps best known for his 2-year spell with Hearts in which time he won an FA Cup and a Super Cup.
✅ GEORGE NII TACKIE (King Tackie Adama Latse ll)
George Nii Tackie was installed Ga Mantse (King of the indigenous Ga people of the Accra region) in 2010 under the stool name King Tackie Adama Latse ll – but not without controversy.
Yet, the Ga Jaase Tse, Nii Yartey Oto-Ga, has continually insisted that King Tackie Adama Latse II is the true and legitimate Ga Mantse.
Hearts of Oak’s 1978/79 triumph was special in its own right, but let’s not forget the personal achievement of George Nii Tackie.
George Tackie was Hearts’ hero in their last league fixture at El-Wak Stadium as the Phobians beat SS ‘74, one-zero to claim the league title.
Tackie replaced Tanko Ayuba at half-time and within three minute he scored the only goal of the game – enabling Hearts to snatch the title from the grasps of Real Tamale United (RTU) by a solitary point.
Tackie’s title-winning goal saw him earn praises from the club chairman, Tommy Thompson who christened him “Sisa Yitso” to wit: The Ghost Head.
And in recent times, former Ghana and Hearts of Oak midfielder, Francis Bossman was enstooled as a Chief in Sekyere Krobo in the Western Region.
Bossman, who made his name with Hearts of Oak in the mid-2000s, had his coronation ceremony on January 7, 2022.
Bossman had been staying in Germany since his retirement and was initially reluctant to accept the Chieftaincy position.
📸1️⃣ Back (L-R) Bashiru Gambo, Kotey Kalala, Robert Hammond, George Amarlai (GK), (Team Official), Seth Ampadu, Nii Noi Thompson, Addo Quarcoo, Kingston Asabri, Sarpei Nunoo.
Front (L-R) Paul Annan (GK), Douglas Tagoe, George Nii Tackie, Tanko Ayuba, Evans Aryeequaye, Mahama Keita, Ofori Quaye “Basabasa”.
Source: Jonas Mac-Tetteh(Facebook)
