Asante Kotoko 5 new signings that could start against RC Kadiogo in Caf Champions League first leg
Asante Kotoko take on Burkina Faso side Rail Club du Kadiogo in the first Preliminary round of the Caf Champions League. The Ghanaian champions will travel to Ivory Coast to face the champions of Burkina at Stade Yamoussoukrom as the Porcupine Warriors search for group stage football in 16 years.
Asante Kotoko have strengthened their squad so like RC du Kadiogo after the Ghanaian side announcing deals for 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.
RC Kadiogo have also strengthened their squad making Kokoto’s chances in the first Caf Champions League round tighter.
But Kotoko could be boosted with the quality they possess from last term with Franck Etouga Mbella, George Mfegue, Richard Boadu, Richmond Lamptey and Samuel Boateng shinning under Prosper Narteh Ogum last season. Mbella struck 21 times in the Ghana Premier League despite losing out on the top scorer award in last round of matches.
There is a dichotomy of view about Kotoko’s strength heading into this season with a section of fans believing the Reds have degraded in quality following the departures of Imoro Ibrahim, Fabio Gama, Mudasiru Salifu and Kwame Baah. But a broad fans base oppose this opinion claiming Asante Kotoko have been further strengthened after the signing Enock Morrison, Sherif Mohammed, Eric Serge Zeze, John Tedeku, Ernest Osei Poku and Steven Mukwala with the Ugandan International scoring against Simba Sporting Club.
The new signings are expected to play a significant role in Kotoko’s campaign this season starting with game against RC Kadoigo on Friday evening. The Burkina side host the Ghanaian side off their own backyard with the first leg clash held in Yamoussoukro and five new players are expected to start against the Burkina Faso champions.
Sherif Mohammed
Sheriff Mohammed joined Asante Kotoko from Liberty Professionals after failed move to Europe. The center-back is expected to pair Yussif Mubarik in central defence against RC Kadiogo. Sherif quickly settled in overpowering Andrew Appau, Thomas Pele, Maxwell Agyemang who all missed major part of preseason due to injury.
Getting to close of preseason, Sherif Mohammed is the immediate name most Kotoko fan will mention to pair in central defence. He has establish a mutual understanding with Mubarik who appears the first priority of Seydou Zerbo.
Sherif has been too good a ball playing center-back and very impressive in aerial dwells but is a suspect in recovery.
John Tedeku
John Tedeku is arguably the replacement for Imoro Ibrahim who joined Sudanese side Al Hilal this summer. Tedeku joined Asante Kotoko from West African Football Academy on a three year deal. Despite his low experience in top flight football, the youngster possess impetuous left-back talent and will start against RC du Kadiogo in first leg.
Internal competitor Patrick Asmah may be unavailable for the clash in Ivory Coast, and even if Asmah were to be fit , Tedeku would still get the starting position. Right-backs Samuel Appiah and Christopher Nettey could play at the left-back but Tedeku’s displays in the mini tournament in Sudan make case for the youngster to start at left side of the back four.
Tedeku will only miss out on the starting position when Kotoko opt for a three-back system.
Eric Serge Zeze
The Ivorian midfielder has impressed many Kotoko fans and his technical charges after joining on a free transfer. Zeze had previous played for ASEC Mimosas and remains a household name in the Ivory Coast Premier League.
With the departures of Mudasiru Salifu and Fabio Gama from attacking midfield positions, Asante Kotoko have been forced to find their replacements partly influencing the signing of Serge Zeze this summer.
Zeze rose the eyebrows in first round of Kotoko’s preseason in Ghana, and in second round of preseason in Sudan, gave glimpses of filling the no.10 role void that has been created since the departure of former play-maker Kwadwo Poku- Mahalla.
Zeze arguably is the replacement of Brazilian play-maker Fabio Gama who left at the end of last term. There is a huge competition for the play-making role- from George Mfegue, Richmond Lamptey, Samuel Boateng and Raphael Dwamena but the Ivorian star has shown exceptional talent making it difficult to be overlooked in the midfield.
Zeze will start in Kotoko’s potential 3-man midfield but could be dropped if Seydou Zerbo opt for a purely defensive approach.
Enock Morrison
Enock Morrison joined Asante Kotoko from city rivals King Faisal on a three year deal. Morrison helped King Faisal escape relegation but was one of the club’s best performers attracting interest from Orlando Pirates, Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko as the latest won the race.
Morrison joined his new teammates in middle of the preseason prior to Kotoko’s departure to Sudan and has impress so far to start against Rail Club du Kadiogo on Friday.
Morrison got a start in Kotoko’s first game in Sudan against Al Hilal as the Ghanaian side were beaten 2-0. He came in as a second half sub against Simba to show that he must start in Kotoko’s first game of African Champions League. At a point in time, it felt like he is playing in Black Stars midfield or for any of the Laliga sides.
He has shown qualities for the deep-lying play-maker and box-to-box positions. And in the game against Simba where he played as a box-to-box midfielder, he was the most influential of other subs despite Stephen Amankona scoring from a penalty.
Arguably he has beaten competition from internal competitors Richmond Lamptey, Ernest Osei Poku and Nicholas Osei Bonsu. Morrison will be one of the new signings that will receive the grace of Seydou Zerbo and will start at the box-to-box role against RC Kadiogo on Friday.
Steven Mukwala
Steven Mukwala joined Asante Kotoko from Ugandan side Uganda Revenue Authority FC on a three year deal. The foreigner has adapted to life sooner than expected and even netted in preseason against Simba SC.
Mukwala will compete with Etouga Mbella, George Mfegue and Samuel Boateng for a starting position up front. But after starting preseason early than his three competitors, the Ugandan International have upper hand in starting as the center forward in Friday’s game.
He has netted two goals in the preseason, a goal each in Ghana and in Sudan.
