Asante Kotoko transfer activity hands boss Seydou Zerbo selection problem ahead of Caf Champions League campaign |

Seydou Zerbo joined Asante Kotoko this season as club’s new coach after the sack of former boss Dr. prosper Narteh and seems to the Burkinabe will be in trouble for team selection ahead of the Caf Champions League opener against RC Kadiogo.

Kotoko looked strategic in their summer transfer business after cashing in on big names Mudasiru Salifu, Imoro Ibrahim. and Emmanuel Keyekeh while Brazilian play-maker Fabio Gama left for free. Meanwhile, former Black Stars second choice Kwame Baah has joined Ethiopian side Adama FC yesterday.

Read more

Since these departures, Kotoko were linked with a several Ghana Premier League top stars but managed deals for equally talented players; Frederick Asare, Moise Pouaty, Thomas Pele, Nicholas Osei Bonsu, Stephen Mukwala, Erick Serge Zeze, Enock Morrison, Ernest Osei Poku, Nicholas Mensah, Raphael Dwamena, John Tedeku and Sherif Mohammed.

Despite signing of at least 12 new players, major of last season’s team still remain; Ibrahim Danlad, Augustine Agyapong, Christopher Nettey, Samuel Appiah, Patrick Asmah, Abdul Ganiyu, Richard Boadu, Richmond Lamptey, Maxwell Agyemang, Yussif Mubarik, Andrew Appau, Samuel Boateng, George Mfegue, Emmanuel Sarkodie, Franck Thierry Etouga Mbella, Stephen Amankona, Isaac Oppong, Dickson Afoakwa and Osman Ibrahim.

The nature of this summer’s transfer activity after Kotoko signing though low names but potential starters means the Reds are building two separate strong sides, perhaps for participation of the Caf Champions League and Ghana Premier League with each player capable of being into Zerbo’s starting lineup.

Futball Surgery Sports understand that last season’s squad could be used to play Caf Champions League matches while this summer’s signings could be deployed in domestic competitions- the FA Cup and Ghana Premier League. A blend of the two sets could predominantly be used for Kotoko’s crucial games this season starting with clash with Rail Club du Kadiogo in the Africa Champions League preliminary round.

Most of last season’s squad have had a little share of preseason in Ghana and Sudan. The pre-season was dominated by new signings having Kotoko defeated Panthers FC and Ghana Army FC in the first round of the pre-season in Ghana’s capital.

The Ghanaian champions failed to win a game in the second phase of their preseason in Sudan losing back-to-back to Al Hilal Omdurman and to Simba Sporting Club in third game of a 3-team mini tournament at the Al Hilal Stadium.

Seydou Zerbo who joined Kotoko in second phase of preseason was handed a selection problem in third game against Tanzanian giants Simba SC. In Kotoko’s first game against Al Hilal entirely new signings were paraded before some old names came into the party in the second game.

The third game was a blend of new and old players that led to a much improved performance despite a 4-2 defeat. Zerbo’s side closed in the first half gap on Simba after making many substitutions in the second half. Those second half players could have started and be starters in subsequent games, with the likes of Enock Morrison, Stephen Amankona, Richmond Lamptey, Emmanuel Sarkodie and Ernest Osei Poku dominating the Tanzanian side in the last 45′ minutes of the game.

Zerbo already faced a major challenge in Kotok’s last game in Sudan about who should be in his starting XI and each player’s performance raises concern for a starting position in the season.

Asante Kotoko returned home on Thursday and six more senior figures of which 4; Samuel Boateng, Ibrahim Danlad, Etouga Mbella and George Mfegue are undroppable will join camp ahead of RC Kadiogo game on Friday.

Asante Kotoko failed to settle in Kumasi after the Sudan trip as the team continue preparations in Accra. The likes of Samuel Boateng, George Mfegue, Etouga Mbella, Maxwell Agyemang, Patrick Asmah, Ibrahim Danlad- who helped Black Galaxies to qualify to next year’s CHAN, will join their teammates before trip to Ivory Coast for Kadiogo game on Friday evening.

Sheriff Mohammed and Justice Blay have not been part of the squad due to injury while Abdul Ganiyu has been stripped off the captain’s armband in early preseason leading to his contract termination.

With the left-behind players joining camp in preparations for RC Kadiogo, Zerbo will be left thinking through the best XI against the Burkina side. The Burkinabe tactician has been handed negative and positive situations following Kotoko summer transfer activity.

It remains unclear whether Zerbo will call last season’s setup or the new signings against RC Kadiogo or a total blend. With the availability of some last season’s key men, these players are expected to start under Seydou Zerbo.