Former Hearts of Oak and Ghana U-23 goalkeeper Richmond Ayi has opened up on his painful exit from the Phobians, admitting that his former club expected more from him despite the challenges he faced during his time in Accra.
In an exclusive interview with LinusNartey TV, Ayi reflected on his journey from Kintampo to Accra, his rise at Hearts of Oak, and the difficult moments that eventually led to his departure.
Ayi, who joined Hearts of Oak in November 2018 from WAFA after stints with Techiman City, had mixed ezperience with the club. He was part of the historic squad that won the domestic treble in the 2020/21 season, including the Ghana Premier League and two FA Cup titles.
His final seasons, however, were marred by inconsistent form, loss of the number one spot, and increased scrutiny from fans and management. Hearts confirmed his departure ahead of the 2024/25 season alongside fellow goalkeepers Richard Attah and Eric Ofori Antwi.
Speaking on the circumstances around his exit, Ayi said the club expected more from him, even though his journey had its rough patches. According to him, those tough moments are not new to him and have always served as motivation to bounce back to his best.
He also touched on the broken trust that characterized the end of his relationship with the club, a period that saw reports of disagreements over playing time and off-field issues. The lanky shot stopper eventually left the shores of Ghana and is currently excelling in Ethiopia with CBE.
Now away from Hearts of Oak, the experienced shit stopper says he is focused on returning to top form and re-establishing himself as one of the reliable shot-stoppers in the Ethiopian topflight.
*Watch the full interview on LinusNartey TV below:*
