Four top players have been let go by Asante Kotoko as the club fine-tunes for the upcoming 2021/22 season.
Leading the quartet whose contracts are being terminated is long-serving Emmanuel Gyamfi, the club’s deputy captain. The winger – who has been at Kotoko since 2016 – was awarded a one-year extension only four months ago. But he is leaving after being declared to not fit in the scheme of new coach Prosper Narteh Ogum.
Defender Habib Mohammed – who had a rough spell both on and off the field last season – has been released with about four months left on his contract. The versatile centre-back arrived in a three-year free-agent deal from AshantiGold in January 2019.
Also among those to be told goodbye by the club is central midfielder Abdul Latif Anabila. In his debut season, Anabila put out inconsistent performances when he got the opportunity before he got restricted to virtually bench duties by a rather unimpressed coach Mariano Barreto. The 24-year-old, after mooting a contract termination at the end of his first season, has finally been granted his wish.
Former Dalkurd FF and Mjällby AIF midfielder, Kwame Adom Frimpong completes the list of outright departures after being deemed surplus to requirement by the new Kotoko gaffer. Adom, who joined the Porcupines in December 2019, was often out injured the last term but still managed 16 league appearances. His contract was to expire in December 2022.
Eight out, eight in so far
While this quartet leave along another batch made available for loan, Asante Kotoko have been busy in the transfer market and already roped in 8 new signings to make up the void created.
Talented trio Augustine Agyapong, Samuel Boateng and Isaac Oppong have been signed from clubs in the third-tier league.
Two other players – Maxwell Kofi Agyemang and Clinton Opoku were also signed after shining in the second tier just last season.
Richmond Lamptey was the first club’s signing from relegated Ghana Premier League side Inter Allies while Richard Boadu and Samuel Appiah were the latest to be announced from Medeama SC on Monday.
