After a one-month break, Asante Kotoko kicked off preparations for the 2016/17 season with 23 first team players at their Adako Jachie training grounds on Monday.
Notable among the players who made the first training session was fit-again Michael Akuffo. The midfielder suffered a tear in his knee and sat for months while on loan at Lebanese side Al Ansar.
Also, long-serving goalkeeper Isaac Amoako is back with the porcupine warriors after sitting out the whole of last season with injury.
Meanwhile, ‘outcast’ Samuel Kyere was present at the training grounds but left few moments after arriving. Footy-Ghana’s checks reveal, per a letter handed Kyere, the defender has been indefinitely suspended from first team activities and demoted to Kotoko’s Under-17 side. Kyere made the headlines for an alleged outburst at the club and interim coach Michael Osei few months ago.
Coach Michael Osei took his men through a couple of fitness drills which is expected to continue for some days as captured in the Kotoko preseason program.
Kotoko’s Technical director, Malik Jabir as well as Operations Manager George Kennedy were present at the training session.
Speaking to Footy-Ghana.com, Malik Jabir said they aspire to better the performance of the past season which saw them place 5th position.
“For every club, if you mean business, you have got to learn on when you went wrong and when you were right from the past season.
“It will be your duty to correct what you didn’t do well and that is what we are seeking to do by starting preseason early and also have an effective preseason”.
Below is the list of players who trained:
Goalkeepers:
Ernest Sowah, Felix Annan, Isaac Amoako
Defenders:
Atta Kusi, Ahmed Adams, Edwin Tuffour Frimpong, Ohene Brenya, Richard Osei Agyemang, Amos Frimpong, Evans Quao, Emmanuel Asante
Midfielders:
Theophilus Nyame, Akwasi Nti, Bennett Ofori, Michael Yeboah, Michael Akuffo, Frank Sarfo Gyamfi, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Eric Donkor
Forwards:
Seidu Bancey, Kwame Boateng, Obed Owusu, Emmanuel Osei Carlos
