Asante Kotoko Transfer News: The hidden Ghana Premier League youngster, a Mateo Kovacic like, Asante Kotoko must sign for next season
A hidden talent in the Ghana Premier League who plays like English Premier League star Mateo Kovacic has emerged; Such talent is rare in the Ghanaian league and Asante Kotoko will need it in their African campaign next season, they should grab the youngster.
Asante Kotoko take on Legon Cities in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday afternoon. The Porcupine Warriors will be hoping to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat at Real Tamale United last weekend.
At the same time, the leaders are understood to be preparing for their transfer activities for Africa and among the notable targets in the local scene are Boris Junior Mandjui, Yaw Annor and Konadu Yiadom. On the African continent, the likes of Rabin Ousmane Sanon, Ngomo Takougoum, Herve Bonny Elame and Kevin Alphose Assiga are on Kotoko’s shopping list.
Kotoko’s reinforcement for Africa will focus on signing players outside Ghana, according to various sources in Ghana. With this said, it doesn’t mean that the quality in the Ghana Premier League is in extinction and latest revelation, Accra Lions man Abass Samari, makes a chase for the Ghanaian top flight.
The Accra Lions midfielder has been crucial for his side despite sitting below mid-table position 11th with 33 points. His preferred pairs are Dominic Nsobila and Abdul Rashid Abubakar in a three man midfield. The three appears arguably the perfect trio combination in the league so far despite the stats not favouring them.
Nsobila and Abubakar have been revelation as well as Samari since Accra Lions’ taste of Premier League at the beginning of this season. Both midfielders have clearly understood their roles in the course of the campaign. Nsobila sit deep in front of the defenders, Abubakar operates as box-to-box while Samari has been the attacking man. The 17-year old is tipped to reach a higher potential.
On the way to achieving that a move to a top GPL side will be essential. A move to Berekum Chelsea, Ash Gold, Medeama SC, Hearts of Oak or Asante Kotoko will facilitate Samari’s development.
As it stands now, the attacking midfielder hasn’t come in mind at Hearts of Oak or Asante Kotoko. But especially Kotoko should consider a move for the youngster at the end of this season who will best suit some of their attacking midfield needs.
Currently, Asante Kotoko have the best midfield which will detract attempt to bring in Samari with Richmond Lamptey, Fabio Gama, Sheriff Mohammed, Richard Boadu, Justice Blay and Mudasiru Salifu driving the club to Ghana Premier League glory. In the course of the season, Kotoko have played with no typical central attacking midfielder but Mudasiru Salifu has been converted and succeeded in that position.
Sheriff and Richard Boadu are deep-lying and box-to-box respectively while Lamptey and Gama are play-makers like Manchester United’s Juan Manuel Mata.
With Asante Kotoko lacking a typical central attacking midfielder- when that signed will give them the right-balance next season. They should utilize funds to bring in Samari who is a perfect central attacking man like Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic.
Lamptey and Gama (Mata) are different players from Samari (Kovacic) but most people will get confused over their natural positions. Samari (Kovacic) will flourish in any system while certain formations will not favour Gama or Lamptey (Juan Mata), and that is the major justification that Asante Kotoko should do all that they can to sign the rare-in-GPL midfielder.
Samari joined Accra Lions from Young Apostles FC in September 2021 and played on the hidden side in the Ghanaian league.
He has walked straight into Lions XI this season. He has featured many times for Accra Lions and his display in 1-3 loss to Hearts of Oak brings him to the know. It wouldn’t be a surprise if scouts began to track the Ghana U20 International.
Despite his young age, only 17, he is already a good ball carrier and arguably the best carrier in the Ghana Premier League. He positions better to enhance possession and have a hawk eye for the penetration passes- qualities only few midfielders in the local scene have. He is like Chelsea star Kovacic and has former Hearts of Oak ace Emmanuel Osei Kuffour in him.
Kotoko will need this talent in Africa if not next season but for subsequent ones. They should act smart to snatch the youngster before any team win the race for the 17-year old’s signature.
