FORMER KOTOKO & UDINESE U-19 STAR GETS A DEAL WITH I-LEAGUE SIDE

Former Spanish top flight side, Granada's midfield anchor, Fatau Mohammed has sealed a deal to join second division I-League side, Mohammedan Sporting Club. 

Fatau happens to be the elder brother of former Ashantigold SC player Kadri Mohammed. Kadri is now with Arsenal Tula in Russia on loan from Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine.

He joins the Indian side on a short term deal. The player's employment with the club will commence from 10" November, 2020 till the end of the last I-League or Super Cup match of the season or tentatively 31 March 2021 whichever is earlier.

He is scheduled to bag $6,000 a month with the Kolkata based Hero I-League side. He will have accommodation during the contract period with the club and will receive two way flight tickets from Ghana -Kolkata & vice-versa.

However, he is expected to sign the agreement  by 26" October, 2020. 

Fatau who turns 28 in December last featured for Al Qadisiyah in 2019. He has been without a club since after his deal with the Saudi based side expired in June, 2019. 

From 2011 to 2016, the defensive midfielder represented 6 spanish sides in various tiers before a move to Gaziantepspor in Turkey.

He had his formative years at Asante Kotoko in Ghana and Udinese in Italy as well as Recre Granada and Cadiz B in Spain.

The Salt Lake Stadium based side last played at the top echelon of the Indian league in 2014 and his inclusion will boost their chances of making a come back.

Fellow I-League side, Bhawanipore attacker, Philip Adjah Tetteh was the last Ghanaian to play for the West Bengal side.

Story By: Gyamfi Din-Chin

21 PLAYERS OF KOTOKO UNDERGO COVID TESTS WITH 13 LEFT OUT

Asante Kotoko's Covid-19 tests gave a clear indication of the players Maxwell Konadu will be using in the coming season. The club currently has over 30 players on their roster and they will be looking  to streamline the playing department.

The players were the first to be tested followed by the technical team members then the administrative staff. The team is expected to begin their training schedule today with all new players to be unveiled by the close of the week.

At the medicals session held at the club's secretariat, these players took part in the exercise; Felix Annan, Kwame Baah, Imoro Ibrahim, Wahab Adams, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Abdul Ganiu Ismael, Habib Mohammed, Patrick Yeboah, Mudasiru Salifu, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Augustine Okrah, Kwame Adom Frimpong, Sam Adams, Collins Ameyaw, Maxwell Baako, William Opoku Mensah, and Naby Keita.

New signings,  Emmanuel Keyeke, Mubarik Yussif, Kwame Poku, and Emmanuel Sarkodie also went through the process.

Speaking to the club's communication head moments after the process, he hinted that players who were not part of the process are not likely to be seen in the red colors come the new season. He added thta some internationals are also joining the club before the week ends.

With no deals yet reached for Christopher Nettey, Mathew Anim Cudjoe and Justice Blay who were at the club on loan agreements, they could not be have involved in the exercise. 

Ibrahim Danlad, Richard Arthur, Kingsley Osei Effah, Douglas Owusu Ansah, Osei Kwame, Evans Owusu, Samuel Frimpong, Augustine Sefah, Martin Antwi and Kelvin Andoh are players who played for the club in the past season who were not involved in the medical process. The end of the road for them?

The team is will leave Kumasi for Koforidua after a weeks training in Kumasi at the club's training grounds located in Adako Jachie.

By: Gyamfi Din-Chin

KARELA REQUESTS FOR KOTOKO'S OSMAN AS PART OF KEYEKEH DEAL

As part of strengthening their sqaud for the 2020/21 CAF Champions League season, Asante Kotoko are bent on acquiring Emmanuel Keyekeh. 

Negotiations have already began with  Karela United for the transfer of the midfield dynamo. The midfielder is keen on to join the Ashanti Region capital side.

As part of  negotiations, the Aiyinase based side have requested for the services of Asante Kotoko budding forward, Ibrahim Osman. The club wants cash plus the young forward to let their midfielder join Kotoko.

Karela United are lacking in numbers in the central attacking position with Diawisie Taylor and Abdulai Nurudeen sharing the role from last term.

However, Osman Ibrahim is been watched by some Tanzanian clubs. Osman managed 8 goals last term on loan at King Faisal in 14 league games. 

 

KEITA AND ARTHUR HEADS KOTOKO'S MASSIVE CLEAR OUT

Asante Kotoko will look to cut down the size of their squad with some clearances ahead of the 2020/21 CAF Champions League campaign. Accordingly, nine players have been penciled down by the technical ahead of the clear out.

The exit of Matthew Anim-Cudjoe and Justice Blay who left the club after the expiration of their loan deals, leaves the club with 36 players. With the club looking to beef up their squad, there's a need to reduce the numbers in the playing department. 

The blemish remains that the club has bought 63 players from 2017 with 37 leaving the club. The club is linked with deals for Medeama's duo of Samuel Appiah and Richard Boadu. Another name on the books is Karela's Emmanuel Keyekeh.

Below are the players who are nearing an immediate exit from the Kumasi based club;

1. Samuel Frimpong (Loan)

2. Empem Da Costa (Mutual termination)

3. Richard Senanu ( Loan)

4. Godfred Asiamah 

5. Evans Owusu

6. Augustine Sefa

7. Patrick Yeboah (Transfer)

8. Richard Arthur

9. Naby Laye Keita 

This leaves the club with 25 players as they pursue new personnel.  

By: Kwasi Gyamfi Din-Chin 

REPORTS: AKAMINKO JOINS LIGUE PROFESSIONNELLE SIDE

Free agent, James Akaminko has reportedly agreed a deal to join Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 side, US Tataouine. Akaminko recently parted ways with Ghana Premier League outfit, Ashantigold SC after seeing out his contract.

The midfielder featured for Ghana's Black Star 'B' at the last edition of the WAFU tourney held in Senegal. He joins the 'Red and Blues' having ditched recently called it time at the 'Yellow and Blacks'.

He was courted by Ghanaian giants, Asante Kotoko but the 24 year old saw a better opportunity in joining the Maghrebian club.

US Tataouine made a maiden appearance in the Ligue Professionnelle 1 side in 2016/17. The side managed by Hamadi Daou are currently 10th on the league with a game to end the season. 

Akaminko will join the side ahead of the 2020/21 season where he has reportedly penned a 2 year deal. 

In 2015, Danish Superliga side Esbjerg FB took the Ghanaian midfielder James Akaminko on trial.

YAHAYA CAST A SLUR ON MEDEAMA'S PRICING OF JUSTICE BLAY

Black Stars forward, Yahaya Mohammed has added his voice to the on-going tussle between his former club Asante Kotoko and Medeama SC over the transfer of midfielder Justice Blay.  

According to the 32 year old forward, Asante Kotoko's pursuit of the midfield anchor is legit bar his price tag. Justice Blay enjoyed a good season in the capital of Ashanti Region scoring 2 league goals including the club's opener against rivals Hearts of Oak in the recently red-lined league.

The Aduana Stars forward raised doubts on the player's rumored price tag claiming he is not worth the amount being quoted in the media.

"It is not reasonable. Justice Blay isn't worth $100,000. I don't think Medeama's owner, Moses Armah will tag the player with such a price."

Justice Blay, 28, is the only midfielder to have scored 2 goals or more for the Kumasi based club in over 5 seasons in the league. His performances for Kotoko has propelled the club to enter into negotiations with the mauve and yellow side with the former valuing him between $50,000 to $100,000.

Yahaya Mohammed is currently considering a move to Ashantigold SC ahead of the Miners 2021 CAF-Inter Club escapade.

Is he worth the quoted sum? 

Credit; Asempa Fm

By; Kwasi Gyamfi Din-Chin

KOTOKO BOARD UNDECIDED OVER CEO's $104,224 PROPOSAL FOR RECRUITMENT

The Board of Directors of Kumasi Asante Kotoko received a budget proposal from the club's Chief Executive Officer, Nana Yaw Amponsah in their last meeting. 

A proposal of Ghc 600,000 ($104,224.14) was presented by the CEO to the Board for recruitment of players ahead of their CAF Inter-club campaign.

Ahead of their participation in the CAF games, the club has decided to augment their squad with a hope of making it to the group stages of the Champions League. The club last played in the group stages of the Champions League in 2006.

Grapevine sources however revealed that the Board's inability in accepting the proposal on the day led to heated exchanges with the CEO. According to the source, the said sum is pertinent as the CEO hopes to recruit a few marquee names in their quest to return to their glory days.

The Board will come up with a definite decision in the coming days.


By: Kwasi Gyamfi Din-Chin

KOTOKO CAN RAISE $1BN IN A YEAR- WATARA CLAIMS

A former player of Kumasi King Faisal now turned football consultant, Adam Watara has made an ambitious claim that he can raise $1billion for Kotoko in a year.

He says the club has more than 20 million supporters worldwide and as such raising funds should not be a problem.

According to Watara, registering each of the 20million supporters and charging GHC10 each can be enough revenue for the club.

He says the supporters must be motivated to pay and sign up to the membership as there should be perks or benefits for them too as supporters.

“I can raise one billion dollars in a year for Asante Kotoko. Kotoko is money."

“Kotoko has at most 20million supporters all over the world.”

“When Kotoko has a supporters base that we register for at least 10Cedis per member.”

“The supporters would be able to pay and I know that money can be raised within a twinkle of an eye.”

He says there is a lot to do to entice the supporters to contribute to the club.

“There are lots of motivation we would input to motivate Kotoko supporters to register.

I can organize a lottery for a Kotoko registered supporter to win a house.”

“Even those who  are not Kotoko supporters would be in a hurry to register as a supporter of the club”

“Kotoko is like Barcelona. It’s a whole empire. I would make sure we have Fabulous Mobile Salon.”

“I was a Kotoko supporter giving the club ideas back then during Herbert’s time” he added.

Source; GhanaGuardian.com

'KOTOKO LOVER' FRED BOATENG CAUTIONS THE CLUB AGAINST INDISCRIMINATE SIGNINGS

Angolan based Ghanaian forward, Frederick Boateng has shared his thoughts on past management practices in Asante Kotoko. The former Dwarfs and Inter Allies focal man also offered an advice to the newly appointed Asante Kotoko Chief Executive Officer, Nana Yaw Amponsah.

Speaking on Sports Forum on Time FM from his base in Angola, Boateng outlined his love for the Porcupines whom he represented from 2018 to 2019. Boateng scored 4 goals in his first 5 games for Kotoko endearing him to the many club faithfuls though he later played a bit part role with the arrival of Burkinabe, Songne Yacouba.

"I wish the new management well. They shouldn't think about their pockets. They should focus on the club's development and find quality players. They should also give them time and desist from the wholesale (usual) recruitment. Mostly those they sack are better than those they go in for. I have been there before and that is the problem with the club."

"I love Kotoko very much and if I hadn't even played for Kotoko, I would have been very disturbed. My family loves Kotoko. They should manage the players well and give them time and add a few quality ones to push the club forward. In (Primeiro) D'Agosto and T.P (Mazembe), they have some players who have played for over a decade now."

The forward scored 4 goals in 10 games for Clube Desportivo da Huila prior to the global hiatus that ended the Angolan top league. The 26 year old has averaged 0.32 goals per game in his last 77 league games for 3 Ghanaian sides and his current Angolan employers whom he joined as a free agent.

By; Kwasi Gyamfi Din-Chin