Asante Kotoko Transfer News: Players Porcupine Warriors are tracking ahead of Africa Champions League
Looking at current trend of results, Asante Kotoko will lift this season’s Ghana Premier League title which will see them into African football next term.
Ahead of their African campaign, the Ghanaian side may need to strengthen their squad to be able to match the big gangs Mamalodi Sundowns, Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, Raja, Zamalek and ES Tunis.
Most African leagues are still underway as many clubs have already started their transfer business for next season. Al Ahly are confident of securing a move for Kotoko leading hit man Etouga Mbella when the season ends despite stiffer competition from St. Etienne.
Like Ahly, Asante Kotoko have penciled down some key signings ahead of their African campaign.
Since the introduction of Kotoko’s current Board of Directors two seasons ago, transfer activities of the Ghana Premier League side have went well- one of the best in a Board’s doing in decades now. They announced deals for the likes of Fabio Gama, Razak Abelora, Christoper Nettey, Evans Adomako and Solomon Sarfo Taylor seasons before, and deals for at least 13 new faces this term including, Sheriff Mohammed, Richmond Lamptey, Yussif Mubarik, Samuel Boateng, Etouga Mbella and George Mfegue whom all are regular members.
In the technical department, Prosper Narteh Ogum was also appointed at the beginning of this season to put a stop to the hiring-and-firing of managers curse. The former WAFA boss has turned the club’s fortunes around, comfortably leading the Ghana Premier League table with 52 points- the best campaign since 2013-2014 season.
On the flip side, Asante Kotoko have cashed in on their first choice Razak Abelora to FC Sherif during the second round of the Ghana Premier League which puts them on the lookout for his replacement. Joseph Amoako has also joined Helsingborgs IF of Sweden in the same transfer window, while some players could still leave at the end of this season.
With Abelora leaving in time that he was needed as Kotoko compete for the GPL title, a host of goal-keepers have been linked to replace the former Black Stars keeper. Ghana first choice at Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup Fatawu Dauda, 37, nearly completed a move to Asante Kotoko in the second round but the deal collapsed in last minute due to club’s supporters disliking the transfer they called ‘old man move’.
Dauda revealed some days ago claiming that his proposed move to the two time Caf Champions League champions was called off by the club’s supporters.
Should Kotoko secured Fatawu Dauda deal, the keeper would have been a sensational addition ahead of their African campaign. The failed move means Kotoko have only two first team goal-keepers as it stands now; Ibrahim Danlad and Kwame Baah, and the former has been tipped to leave for greener pastures abroad when the season ends.
Asante Kotoko are aware of that and have begun a search for at least a top class goal-keeper for the African Champions League. Major media outlets in Ghana have linked Ivorian International Boris Junior Mandjui, who keeps the posts at Ghana Premier League outfit Medeama Sporting Club, with a transfer to Asante Kotoko.
Mandjui will be a major signing and boost Caf competition participation having accumulated vast experience in African football during his day at Union Sportive de Ouagadougou, ASEC Mimosas and Salitas FC.
Kotoko are yet to make contacts with Medeama SC and the player himself. Aside Mandjui, the Ghanaian side are reportedly tracking Rabin Ousmane Sanon from ASFA Yennenga. The 22-year old is willing to join the Ghanaian side.
With signing a goalkeeper a must, Asante Kotoko will reportedly look at right-back position. The club boast of three players at the moment; Augustine Agyapong, Samuel Appiag and Christopher Nettey. However, they are arguably not the best in the Ghana Premier League let alone in Africa. The Ghanaian outfit have started search for a right back preferably from one of their neighboring countries. Once they bring in an experience right-back surplus to requirement Samuel Appiah would be sent out on loan.
Their central defence problem has also forced Kotoko to open their eyes on reinforcements at the center pair position. Despite enjoying good results so far this season, their central defense has not lived up to the billing conceding some preventable goals in the league. In totality, Kotoko have conceded 11 goals to emerged one of the least conceded teams in the Ghanaian top flight.
By numbers, they would have not been forced to bring in new faces but the quality has made a strong case for new comings. As it stands now, Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum has four central defenders; Andrews Appau, Yussif Mubarik, Abdul Ganiyu, Maxwell Agyemang to choose in matchday but choice for the perfect partnership has been hectic for the Ghanaian tactician.
Mostly, Ganiyu and Yussif Mubarik are called in action at central defence but that hasn’t work well while either with Appau or Maxwell Agyemang is a worse of the central defense problem.
It’s understood that the central defense will be one of the areas management of the club will most prioritize in the reinforcement exercise. They have set sight on WAFA ace Konadu Yiadom and a move for Coton Sport de Garoua defender Ngomo Takougoum could be in the pipeline at the end of the season. Aside Ngomo and Yiadom, the Ghanaian giants probe in Ivory Coast and Cameroon for at least two top central defenders.
Asante Kotoko may not take much consideration into the left-back position same as their midfield after Sheriff Mohammed, Justice Blay, Mudasiru Salifu, Richard Boadu, Fabio Gama, Richmond Lampety able to drive the club to flourish in the league. The Ghanaian media have tipped them to send same performance to African and if form is successfully transferred they will be one of the best set of midfielders in Africa.
Meanwhile, the wing position is another area Asante Kotoko should strengthen ahead of Africa. George Mfegue has been the brightest wide man whilst Stephen Amankona and Dickson Afoakwa struggle to adapt to Ogum’s system. Mfegue has netted 6 goals/3 assists from the left and right flanks.
At early stage of the season, Asante Kotoko were often relieved by another wide man Isaac Oppong but the 18-year old has been sidelined till to end of the season due to undergoing a surgery from a knee injury. His return will not be a guarantee of top form where Kotoko must look for additional wingers to assist Mfugue at the flank.
Ash Gold’s winger Yaw Andoh has been linked with a move in summer. Although no foreign winger has been linked at the moment, Kotoko may attempt to sign at least two wide men from outside Ghana. However, a search in the Ghana Premier League is also highly possible.
Again, Asante Kotoko may sign foreign strikers at the end of the season with Al Ahly, Galatasaray and St. Etienne bound Franck Mbella Thierry Etouga likely to leave. The Cameroonian International is closing in on a summer move to French Ligue 1 side St. Etienne– beating off competition from Ahly and Galatasaray.
The 22-year old has struck 16 times in the league so far. When Mbella leaves at the end of the season, the Premier League leaders should sign equally top quality to replace the Cameroonian. Kotoko will reportedly sign at least two top strikers, all from West African countries, amid their African campaign. Kotoko are said to be interested in Eding Sport attackers Herve Bonny Elame and Kevin Alphose Assiga heading into summer.
With Kotoko forced to sign a goalkeeper, a right-back, central defenders, at least two wingers and two top attackers, the Ghanaian side may already be on the way for wholesale transfer activity in the summer transfer window.
