Asante Kotoko close to signing Kwame Poku from Nkoranza Warriors to amid misfiring striking force
Asante Kotoko have struggled to replace their fruitful striking force of Fatau Safiu and Songne Yacouba who together produced fine goal scoring moments last season for Kotoko in the CAF Confederation Cup and GFA Normalization Special Competition. Safiu netted 11 goals in the NC Special Competition and 3 in the Confederation as well as uncountable assists in both competitions.
Songne Yacouba has been a key performer since joining the Porcupine Warriors in January 2018, and played his best season so far for Kotoko in the 2018-2019 CAF Confederation Cup campaign. Though the Burkinabe had few tally to his name in the Confederation Cup, he was one of Kotoko’s best players in the ended competition, therefore earning interest for his services from Al Hilal, Orlando Pirates, Al Ahly and two Zambian clubs Zesco United and Nkana FC.
Early this season, Kotoko lost the pair of Safiu and Yacouba to Safiu’s departure to Trelleborgs FF and injury worries that have prevented the latest from involving in Kotoko’s games during the beginning of the season. Kotoko brought in George Abege from Kariobangi Sharks and former Wa All Stars forward Richard Arthur but both have failed to live up to the standards of Safiu and Yacouba not alone firing Kotoko to escalating glories.
Arthur has managed to score only once in five games for the Porcupine Warriors, Abege is yet to find to back of the net in any competitive game, Naby Kieta is playing well but has struggled to score goals and Yacouba has find it difficult to break into the starting eleven of Kjetil Zachariassen after returning to full fitness in early September.
Kotoko have found Nkoranza Warriors forward Kwame Opoku to be the new panacea to their misfiring striking force. Opoku was instrumental for the Nkoranza based club last season registering 10 goals to his name in the Tier 2 of NC Special Competition.
It is understood that talks between Kotoko and the player have already commenced. The Black Meteors player has given a confirmation of the proposed interest from the Ghanaian giants on Wednesday afternoon.
In an interview with Ashh FM Sports (Wednesday edition) Opoku said, “It’s true I have spoken with some management members of Kotoko but we are yet to finalize the talks for my signature”.
“I’m currently at the Black Meteors camp and focused on the AFCON U-23 tournament ahead of me but I’m waiting for the deal to be finalized”
The Meteors striker was quick to expressed his delight to be linked with a move to Kotoko. “It is every player’s dream to play at the highest level in his career so I will be very happy to join Kotoko”, Opoku added.
“I can play Kotoko very easily if I get the opportunity to join because I do everything with determination and believe. It would be a dream come through to play for Kotoko because I have been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time”, Opoku concluded.
If Opoko signs for Kotoko, he would be the third center forward to join the club this season after George Abege and Richard Arthur.
