Gladson Awako returns to Hearts of Oak training
Gladson Awako has been sighted in Hearts of Oak colours at their training grounds for the first time since September to end speculations about his future.
The gallant midfielder joined the first-team training on Wednesday having trained with the youth side, Auroras, on Tuesday after ending his unwarranted break.
Awako vowed to return to training after a meeting with the Youth Chief of Teshie, Original Nii Martey Laryea I on Monday.
The midfielder weeks after he signed for the Phobians quit training in September and thought about leaving barely two weeks after completing the move.
Awako signed a two-year contract with Hearts of Oak in August, thereby severing ties with former club and rivals of Accra Hearts of Oak, Accra Great Olympics.
It was largely reported that Awako came under spiritual attack after signing the lucrative deal and was battling for his life, thus keeping him home and with the idea of holding personal training sessions.
“I’m back for good. I can’t challenge the fans; I can’t say anything bad to them. The only thing I need to do to pay them back is on the field, play and give my all. This is the only thing I can do for them,” Awako said in an interview with TV3.
“At the moment I know the fans are not happy with me. I keep receiving messages from most people. Some people feel I have betrayed them, and some people send me good messages, saying they support me and are looking forward to seeing me on the field. There is a little love there.”
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“But I’m pleading with them to forgive me. I am back and ready to do everything I can to help the club get where it must be,” he added.
In other news surrounding his transfer, his former club Accra Great Olympics had ordered him to return to the club because Hearts of Oak have not paid in full the amount involved in the transfer after the latter failed to honour their part of the agreement.
Some fans infuriated by the turn of events urged the management of Hearts to terminate Awako’s contract.
In all this brouhaha, Awako’s absence coincided with Hearts of Oak’s disappointing start to the Ghana Premier League title defence after picking up just three points from four matches.
His return to training this week means Awako could be named in the squad for the CAF Confederation Cup play-offs first-leg against JS Saoura.
The Phobians need a statement win against the Algerians in Accra on Sunday to stake a claim for the group stage.