Kenichi Yatsuhashi |
Rival fans dubbed him ‘social-media-coach’. Pundits
predicted his dismissal before the league properly begun. His preseason sham
was a laughingstock and left many bemoaning.
Others argued that, he actually never existed but an embodiment of a
figment. His credentials left much to be desired as the 46-year-old novice
prepared to take over the reins at one of Ghana’s most prestigious and oldest
clubs, Accra Hearts of Oak.
The grey-headed sensei, Kenichi Yatsuhashi lacked topnotch
profile that would have left the Phobian fraternity drooling and pumping up
their hopes of coming close to annexing the league, something that has gone
missing from their trophy cabinet since 2009.
The Japanese trainer vowed to work things out as his early
days at the club glaringly lacked luster. “I understand the frustrations of the
fans but I believe we are working really hard to get the team to the level we
all desire”, said Kenichi “The players have shown willingness which is key so I
believe I will get the team to the level we all desire”. Those were the
courageous words of Kenichi after the GHALCA Top 6 competition, where his team
had started improving on their early preseason form.
He started off the season with a late win against New
Edubiase United. Now here’s where all the sophistry surrounding the mysterious
sensei started unfolding.
Hearts of Oak had not defeated New Edubiase in their
previous three (3) meetings in the league. Edubiase had beaten the Phobians
home and away the season before the Japanese took over. It was easily the game
that was going to vindicate the pessimists and critics with regard to the grey-headed
sensei. The first half was barren and things were falling apart until the 79th
minute when Samuel Yeboah latched onto an incisive cross to win all points at
stake. Kenichi would go scot free for this week. The subsequent week was going
to tell the tale pretty well.
Medeama SC, who are Ghana’s sole representatives in Africa
this year had not tasted defeat in their own background for twenty-one (21)
games. The Mauves had gone unbeaten against the Phobians in their previous
seven (7) league encounters. Mauves were tipped to end Kenichi’s fairytale ride
with ease. Once again the first half had nothing to pick between the two sides.
Nonetheless, the 77th minute saw one of Kenichi’s discoveries Cosmos
Dauda shoot the Phobians into the lead. Hearts held their resolve until the 92nd
minute when Eric Kumi fired home the cushion goal for the Japanese.
Kenichi had won his first two games in charge of his first
ever professional club against all odds. He was beginning to carve a niche for
himself but it was still early days yet. However, there seem to be a mysterious
pattern of play developed in the Phobians, they seem to find their mojo vastly
in the second department of games.
Fallacy?
Hearts would go on to draw their subsequent game versus a
beleaguered Mysterious Dwarfs. The energetic Japanese entertained Bechem United
in Week 4 of the league. Samuel Yeboah opened the scoring in the 37th
minute but Hearts of Oak once again scored two goals in the second half via the
boots of Mustapha Essuman and Isaac Mensah in the 53rd and 67th
minutes respectively. Hearts won 3-1.
At this stage, the Phobian fraternity were beginning to
believe Kenichi indeed could turn fortunes. Women and children alike were
singing the mysterious sensei’s praise. He had begun to turn heads. But many a pessimist
still waited and hoped to see how he would capitulate very soon.
Inter Allies scored two quick second half goals proving a sterner opposition than expected, Kenichi had
just 30 minutes to pull out any magic wand. Isaac Mensah pulled one back on the
69th minute mark before Kenichi exhibited his tactical prowess, throwing everything at the the opponents.
He brought on Ibrahim Musah, who equalized on the 81st minute before
clinching all points in the 90th minute. Musah’s incredible brace
went a long way to underline how Kenichi’s boys are ruthless in the second half
of games.
Does the pattern emanate from sheer effective training or psychological theatric?
Does the pattern emanate from sheer effective training or psychological theatric?
Hearts had started winning their supporters back; their best
start to a league season since the early 2000s. The club turned out to be the
league’s cash cow as their avid fans followed them to every league center.
Hearts lost their next game against Wa All Stars, a side that
has been a torn in their flesh. The Phobians had won just one of their previous
five (5) games. They were humbled 3-1 in their own backyard. Once again, Hearts’
consolation goal was scored in the 50th minute through Ibrahim
Musah, in the second half.
Perhaps, Kenichi’s charges had begun feeling the pressure and the overwhelming expectations took a toll on them. They drew goalless at Techiman
City and drew one-all with WAFA. Csomos Dauda scored the goal for the Phobians
in the 70th minute. Second-half magic still at display even in their
hard times eh?
Hold on, the mysterious second half template was going to be
tested even more in the next three games when they come up against defending
league champions , AshGold, a venue they had never won a game close to a
decade, archrivals Asante Kotoko and Brekum Chelsea who had never lost a home
game since 2012. Surely Kenichi should fall someway somehow along the line or?
Hearts scored the first goal in the 53rd minute
before adding a second in the 60th minute thanks to Cosmos Dauda’s
prolific feet. Kenichi broke a long-held jinx against one of the country’s very top teams,
AshGold. Hearts however lost narrowly to archrivals Kotoko in a very cagey
game. Noteworthy that Hearts and Kotoko games are practically inexplicable
given the intricacies involved. Hence, better described with fewer words.Cheers. Moving
on, Samuel Yeboah scored on the 60th minute mark to end Brekum
Chelsea’s four-year unbeaten home run. Something only the mysterious
grey-headed sensei’s sophistry could explain.
A feat admittedly unparalleled. No brainer.
A feat admittedly unparalleled. No brainer.
Hearts defeated Hasaacas 1-0 in their next game as Isaac
Mensah scored an early goal in the 7th minute. First half winner, pretty rare uh huh? Kenichi’s
recent away draw with second-placed Aduana Stars seem to underline what he’s
been doing all season. He’s slowly restoring Hearts to their rightful place, even though he’s been knocked out of the FA Cup by a lower tier side Samartex. Dauda
Cosmos equalized in the 67th minute against a well-drilled Aduana
Stars who had won five (5) games on the bounce before meeting Hearts.
Amid all his alleged controversial shenanigans vis-à-vis management,
the charismatic former coach of Societa Ise FC Junior Youth U15 and CONCACAF
International Coaching license holder is surely writing his own page in the
history books of Hearts of Oak regardless whatever happens in the near
future.
His hard-work and fitness-centered training is paying off
unequivocally. Hearts have scored fourteen (14) of their (16) league goals in
the second half of matches, representing eighty-eight (88) per cent. The
Phobians have also recouped five (5) points from losing position in the league.
The mysterious second-half sensei is unbeaten in seven (7) away
matches, winning four (4) and drawing three (3). His side has scored the highest away goals, nine
(9) and conceded the fewest goals away from home, four (4). His amassed fifteen
(15) points from seven away games is six (6) more than second placed Kotoko on the away performance log.
Kenichi and Hearts occupy the top spot on the league log after thirteen (13) weeks, truly a dream only few of the Phobians had fancy before the season kicked off. With seventeen (17) games to go, it remains to be seen whether Kenichi will keep pressing hard for the ultimate that has eluded his club in a pretty long while or perhaps get soaked in the fairytale and resort to just playing to the gallery.
Kenichi and Hearts occupy the top spot on the league log after thirteen (13) weeks, truly a dream only few of the Phobians had fancy before the season kicked off. With seventeen (17) games to go, it remains to be seen whether Kenichi will keep pressing hard for the ultimate that has eluded his club in a pretty long while or perhaps get soaked in the fairytale and resort to just playing to the gallery.
The Phobians have won the league twenty (20) times, a haul
only bettered by rivals Asante Kotoko with twenty-three (23). If there’s any
chance of the Phobians annexing their 21st league title, ceteris
parabus, then surely the mysterious second-half sensei, Kenichi wouldn’t have a
better shot at it than now.