Tema Youth chief Wilfred Osei Palmer has slammed Hearts of Oak for allowing goalkeeper Ernest Sowah to join Ghana Premier League rivals Asante Kotoko.

Hearts were understood to be the front-runners to land the former Berekum Chelsea shot-stopper – who is a product of the Ghanaian second-tier side.

However, they had their hopes of landing the experienced glovesman dashed last week after he completed a three-year deal with the Ghanaian title record holders.

Hearts’ failure to land Sowah has perplexed many, including Tema Youth Sporting Director, who believes the Phobians have made a big mistake by not signing the goalkeeper.

“I will say that Ernest Sowah would have better off with Hearts of Oak than Asante Kotoko,” he told Accra-based Starr FM.

“When you look at the Hearts of Oak team last season, they were finding it difficult to get a solid backline and I was surprised when they allowed Sowah to slip easily through their hands.

“Whatever Hearts of Oak should have done everything to get him.”

Hearts could face goalkeeping crisis ahead of the start of the new season after duo Tetteh Luggard and Mutawakilu Seidu failed to impress last term.

Aging Soulama Abdoulaye is at the twilight of his career amid growing fear he may not sparkle in the upcoming season.