Asante Kotoko closing in on loan deal for Cameroonian defender Saloman Banga from Al Hilal Omdurman
Ghana Premier League side Asante Kotoko are reportedly closing in on a loan deal for Cameroonian center-back Salomon Charles Banga from Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman, according to reports.
The Porcupine Warriors have long been searching for a solid center-back for two seasons now but they ended up losing their top notch Abdul Ganiyu at the beginning of this season.
Although they brought in Sherif Mohammed but the former Liberty Professional man is seen as someone who fills Ganiyu’s whole where another central defender may still be required at Kotoko.
At the opening of the January transfer window, several names, predominantly outside Ghana, have been linked with a move to the champions. It’s understood that they want a center-back in other African country with Salomon Banga the name they have currently settled on according to a report in Ghana Soccer Net.
Asante Kotoko have established a friendly relationship with Al Hilal over the years seeing Kotoko sell their best player for last season Imoro Ibrahim to the Sudanese side.
Captain Richard Boadu nearly followed the train to the Al Hilal Stadium after Imoro’s deal but a deal collasped while club’s last season top scorer Franck Thierry Etouga Mbella nearly also joined but the Cameroonian prospect sealed a move to Egyptian Premier League side Al Masry.
Al Hilal is believed to have eyes on the likes of Augustine Agyapong, Richard Boadu, Georges Mfegue and summer signning Steven Desse Mukwala ahead of summer 2023 but could be raided for central defender Banga at the other side for remainder of the season.
Asante Kotoko and Al Hilal have been into contacts since the beginning of January for such deals with the Sudanese champions agreeing Banga joins the Ghanaian side for remainder of the season.
The 27-year-old centre-back will be joining the Porcupine Warriors for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign as they look to tighten their defence for the second period of the season.
The Cameroonian International failed to command a starting position at Al Hilal at the beginning of the season as he was shipped out on loan at Moroccan outfit Difaa El Jadida.
Banga will be joining Kotoko from Difaa El Jadida where he has also not impressed but thanks to Asante Kotoko tactical genius Seydou Zerbo who is expert in training players to top level.
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The former Cotonsport FC defender signed for Difaa El Jadida in August 2021. He made 20 appearances in the Moroccan league in the 2021-22 campaign in the process.
Banga left Difaa El Jadida to join Al Hilal in April 2022. He was on the bench when the Sudanese champions eliminated St. George SA and Young Africans in the CAF Champions League.
He was sent back to Difaa El Jadida on a loan in January this season but the move has been cancelled.
The defender who had an outstanding campaign during the CHAN 2020 tournament in Cameroon is expected in Ghana in the coming days to complete his transfer.
Banga’s move to Kotoko will not send him straight into Zerbo’s eleven with Cameroonian needed to compete with Sherif Mohammed, Yusif Mubarik, Justice Baly and Maxwell Agyemang for a starting position.
Asante Kotoko are in a race to defend their Ghana Premier League title beating Accra Lions 4-0 in Monday night football to climb to a second position on the log.
Sherif walked back into the lineup after helping Black Galaxies in the 2023 CHAN in Algeria. Mubarik the perfect pair but the former Ash Gold star has been missing in action for some time now.
Blay has shown a great sense as a starter in central defense in the absence of Sherif and Mubarik. Banga will have to beat these names before he commands a starting position at Asante Kotoko as well.
