Former Hearts of Oak and Ghana international winger Benard Dong Bortey has been appointed head coach of Ashanti Regional Football Association (ARFA) Division Two side Mahala Football Academy ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The appointment ushers in a fresh phase of his distinguished coaching journey, as the former Black Stars winger brings his wealth of experience and technical expertise to the Garden City-based outfit.

Dong Bortey joins Mahala Football Academy after his involvement with the youth setup of Accra Hearts of Oak, Auroras, where he played a role in nurturing and developing emerging talents.

The 43-year-old enjoyed a distinguished playing career spanning several clubs in Ghana and abroad. He notably featured for Ghapoha Readers and Hearts of Oak, before embarking on international spells with El Wasl in the United Arab Emirates and Bnei Sakhnin in Israel.

He also turned out for Ghanaian sides including Aduana FC, New Edubiase United and Accra Great Olympics, while gaining further overseas experience with Vietnamese outfit Sông Lam Nghệ An.

Dong Bortey etched his name into Ghanaian football folklore during his celebrated stint with Hearts of Oak, where his blistering pace, incisive attacking play and eye for goal established him as one of the most feared wingers of his generation.

Having now transitioned into coaching, the former Ghana international faces the task of steering Mahala Football Academy through the competitive ARFA Division Two League while simultaneously nurturing the next generation of promising footballers.

Mahala will be banking on Dong Bortey’s extensive experience at both domestic and international levels to inject ambition, discipline and tactical sophistication into the team as preparations intensify for the 2026/27 campaign.

His appointment represents a significant addition to the club’s technical hierarchy and underlines Mahala Football Academy’s ambition to make a strong impression in the upcoming season.