Board Member of Accra Hearts of Oak, Vincent Odotei Sowah, has touted the club’s credentials in taking good care of their players because members of the playing body are buying cars and building their own houses without travelling abroad.

The Phobians have been in the news this week for mostly bad reasons after former coach Martin Koopman took a swipe at the club by claiming they are only big ‘on paper’.

The comments have drawn defence from Odotoi Sowah, who claims the club has not lost its status as a ‘big club’ and pointed to what he describes as ‘luxury lifestyles’ of Hearts of Oak players to back his claims.

"When you look at Hearts of Oak now, everything is in place for the club to be successful. Everything is in place for the club to be successful," he said.

"Hearts of Oak players have not travelled abroad before, but they are building houses, they are buying cars, the players are well paid, we look after their welfare.

"I mean, I recall a video which was just before the season. Hearts of Oak players arriving at their hostel, where they were driving cars. We think that we have everything in place, which is necessary,” Odotei Sowah said at a press briefing in Accra on Monday.

Hearts of Oak have struggled this season, with just three wins from 13 matches. They are currently 8th on the league log, eight points from the top of the table Aduana Stars.

They face rivals Asante Kotoko in the Super Clash on Sunday in Kumasi.