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Jerome Otchere writes: Ogum’s exit signals deeper problems

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I’m firm in my conviction that the picture painted out there to Asante Kotoko supporters of which I’m proudly and inseparably one isn’t the exact state of affairs. That’s no news as organisations often have difficult times and what’s required of mangers then is to resolutely confront the difficulties and solve them. 

It’s also nothing new when we express our views on the state of affairs within a setup and we’re met with robust denials, which is fair anyway but not the insults and spurious allegations either targeted at shutting us up or plainly destroying our persona. It’s what it’s and I know such mischief won’t change in this warped, broken world. 

It’s no secret that, Kotoko need proepr sources of financing not just for the 2022/23 CAF Champions League but to largely remain relevant in the continent’s club competitions whenever its performance back home merits or gaurantees participation. If you believe simple minds, you’ll mistake my position on Coach Prosper Ogum’s exit as hatred for Nana Yaw Amponsah his Management and/or the Board. 

It can’t be so but with our so-called democratic society slipping deep into a pit, where some people can’t comprehend multi-complex issues, and straightaway take to insults and insane labeling at the least dissent, being battered with a barrage of uncouth language the moment your views tend to be unpopular shouldn’t be too surprising. 

There are pertinent issues. We’ve to cut into the glass shield to take on these issues. Insults won’t change the fundamental issues. Our Board’s present output won’t allow this club to function properly in today’s game. The Management is painfully concerned. Also, the Board differs on certain Management approaches to running the club. 

Their conflict and how it harms our progress in the long term, isn’t always so visible to some supporters and I say again, the glitzy Management steps we’ve all commended publicly mask the real issues. If some fans don’t see it; I understand them but Kotoko have been here many times. This is no doomsday commentary. It’s what it’s. 

Sustainable financing, mass player exodus, finding equally good replacement, poor player renumeration, ill-financed Africa campaigns, unresolved petty Board and Management rift persist. Hope doesn’t cure these problems. Workable decisions and actions are what provide solutions to these problems. I say Ogum’s resignation is one manifestation of these deeper, yet-to-be 

satisfactorily addressed problems. We can’t gloss over them.   

The Board and Management must act decisively. Calling and sending text messages to me with ridiculous threats and lies won’t change the fundamental issues I’ve raised. The Board especially must show the way to changing the status quo and Management must stay on common turf with the Board to push the club’s agenda. Mutual respect is necessary in disagreement. We must learn that. I’m not and can’t be on the hate-campaign idle minds are preaching.

Arguing for right, sustainable means of financing and administering Kotoko to be that club we desire to see in Ghana, Africa and beyond, with better, professional working relations between Board and Management, coaches, players and fans, devoid of upsetting the club’s overiding interest is always my wish. Let’s address the real issues.

Black Stars forward Christian Atsu linked with a move to Hearts of Oak

Former Ghana winger, Christian Atsu is considering a move to Ghana Premier League powerhouse, Hearts of Oak, the local media has reported.

According to the report, the former Chelsea and FC Porto winger is expected to team up with Sulley Muntari and Samuel Inkoom at the club ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup campaign.

Atsu, 30, is currently on the books of Saudi Pro League side Al-Raed after signing a year contract with the Club.

Atsu has played for the likes of Rio Ave, Everton, Malaga, Bournemouth, and Newcastle United before eventually moving to the Gulf having moved from Cheetah Academy to join Porto.

The winger has been out of the national team after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in Egypt.

Atsu was part of the Black Stars squad that played in the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

Top Hearts of Oak defender wants to get contract terminated

Hearts Of Oak Defender, Mohammed Alhassan has requested to terminate his contract with the Phobians.

Mohammed Alhassan joined Hearts Of Oak from WAFA in 2018.

A report from Kessbe Sports hited that news that, the Defender has written to the club requesting for his contract to be terminated.

Mo Alhassan, who has barely two months left on his contract with the Phobians has reportedly agreed a deal with Iraqi Premier League side Al Kahraba SC.

Frank Darkwah on Twitter: "Is Mohammed Alhassan currently the best centre  back in Ghana? https://t.co/BlrudA1WEi" / Twitter

According to Iranq Journalist Hamza Dhia, both parties (Hearts of Oak and Al Kahraba) have agreed on a deal for the 30- year- old center- back who will be leaving Ghana to complete his transfer in the coming days.

“Al Kahraba SC has agreed with defender from Ghana Mohammed Alhassan player of @HeartsOfOakGH . Al Kahraba played the Iraq Cup final two days ago and lost the match”, Hamza Dhia.

Mohammed Alhassan captained the Phobians in the MTN FA Cup final against Bechem United as Hearts Of Oak won the trophy to qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup.

The 30- year-old defender has won five trophies since joining Hearts Of Oak from WAFA SC.

Hearts of Oak according to reports have scouted WAFA captain, Konadu Yiadom as his replacement for the departing Mohammed Alhassan.

Ampem Darkoa Ladies draw Bayelsa Queens, two others in WAFU Zone B Women’s Champions League qualifiers

Ghana Women’s Premier League and FA Cup winners Ampem Darkoa Ladies have been handed a tricky draw for the 2022 WAFU Zone B Women’s Champions League.

The Ghanaian Champions have been drawn in Group B of the competition which serves as qualifiers for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League.

Ampem Darkoa Ladies are paired with Union Sportive des Forces Armées (USFA) of Burkina Faso, Bayelsa Queens of Nigeria and Athleta FC of Togo.

In Group A, hosts AS D’Abidjan of Cote D’Ivoire, AS Police of Niger and Espor FC of Benin are paired together.

The tournament is scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast from Monday, September 10 to Friday September 21.

The Finalists of the competition will secure a place at the second edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League to be played in Morocco later this year.

Inside story: Why Prosper Narteh Ogum resigned as Asante Kotoko head coach

The management of Kumasi Asante Kotoko are faced with looking for a new head coach following the resignation yesterday of their head coach, Prosper Narteh Ogum, after a meeting with the club’s management and the Technical Committee of the Board of Directors in Kumasi yesterday.

Ogum’s surprise resignation came just five weeks after he led Kotoko to win a record extending 24th Ghana Premier League title, with a colourful coronation taking place in their final home match against Elmina Sharks at the Baba Yara Stadium on June 12.

The Daily Graphic understands that the Coach’s decision to unilaterally end his contract with the Porcupine Warriors after only one season came as a surprise to both the club’s management members and the board following disagreement over the recruitment of players for the forthcoming season.

An official of Kotoko denied that the coach terminated his GH¢26,500-a-month contract over salary arrears and other conditions of service.

An assistant coach of the home-based senior national team, Black Galaxies, 44-year-old Ogum was Kotoko’s 13th substantive coach in the last decade.

Review meeting

Insiders revealed to the Daily Graphic that the meeting was called to review the club’s performance and also discuss matters including player recruitment, the youth teams and their upcoming campaign in the CAF Champions League.

However, there was some disagreement over a request to recruit 17 new players and sack 10 over poor performance, which reportedly upset the coach who subsequently stepped down as head of the technical team.

“During the meeting with the board to discuss his report to the management, there was a disagreement over his request to sack 10 players and recruit 17 new players, including four centre-backs.

“It was at the point when some members of the board questioned the justification of some of his requests that Coach Prosper Ogum said he had a two-year contract but wanted to move on with his life, so the club must look for a new coach,” explained Emmanuel Newton Dasoberi, the Administration and Operations Manager of Kotoko to Maurice Quansah of Graphic Sports.

Dispute

At the meeting, some board and management members reportedly questioned the prudence in employing 17 new players when he demanded the recruitment of a similar number of players when he joined Kotoko from West African Football Academy (WAFA) at the beginning of the season.

Coach Prosper Narteh Ogum led Kumasi Asante Kotoko to win the Ghana Premier League in his first season with the club

The Daily Graphic has learnt that some board members are hoping to meet Coach Ogum in the coming days to talk him out of his resignation after failed attempts at yesterday’s meeting to get him to rescind his decision.

“The coach has not formally written to the club about his resignation, but even when some members tried to persuade him to change his mind, his response was that his decision was final,” Mr Dasoberi told the Daily Graphic.

Coach Ogum –– a lecturer at the Physical Education and Recreation Department of the University of Cape Coast –– did not return calls by the Daily Graphic for his side of the story.

-Graphic.com.gh

Dominic Nsobila inching closer to Asante Kotoko move

Asante Kotoko is close to sealing a deal for Accra Lions midfielder Dominic Nsobila for the upcoming season, according to a report filed by Oyerepa FM.

The midfielder enjoyed a successful debut Premier League season with Lions in the just ended season.

Nsobila who captained Accra Lions last season made 31 appearances in the Premier League with a couple of assists and goals.

The central midfielder is scheduled to undergo a medical in the coming days before finalizing his move to the Garden City on a three-year deal.

He has been lined up as a replacement for Richmond Lamptey who has been suspended by the Ghana Football Association for match-fixing.Kotoko are also said to be on the heels of Ghanaian international Agyemang-Badu to beef up their midfield with his experience.

Just In: Prosper Narteh Ogum resigns as Asante Kotoko coach after 10 months

Prosper Narteh Ogum has left his role as the head coach of Asante Kotoko SC after a meeting with the Technical Committee and the management of the club this afternoon.

Ogum led the Porcupines to a successful campaign in charge of the club in his first season after joining from WAFA last season.

The 44-year old took over as head coach from Mariano Barreto and guided the club to its 25th league trophy.

According to Eugene Adu Poku of Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM, the former WAFA gaffer has parted ways with the after a meeting with the board and the technical committee of the side on Wednesday.

The reason for the resignation hasn’t been revealed yet. However it’ll come as a huge surprise to the Porcupine family considering his achievements with the club in a short time.

More to follow…

Transfer News: Kotoko striker Franck Mbella close to joining Italian side Udinese

Asante Kotoko striker Franck Mbella Etouga is close to sealing a move to Italian Serie A club Udinese, according to a report filed by Oyerepa Radio.

The former AS Fortuna striker emerged as target for the Italian Serie A side following an outstanding debut season in the Ghana Premier League.

According to the report, the transfer would become one of the best in Ghanaian football history and the Cameroonian has been informed about his next move.

The Cameroonian, according to the report, will travel to Italy this month for further observation and will put pen to paper should he impress the technical team.

According to Oyerepa Radio’s Sometymer Otuo Acheampong who broke the news, Kotoko rejected offers from North African clubs as they do not want to sell their striker to a club they would be competing with in the Champions League.

Mbella became a household name in Ghana after scoring 21 goals in the Ghana Premier League and also broke some club records in his first season.

Paa Kwesi Fabin, W.O Tandoh appointed coaches of Aduana Stars

Ghana Premier League side Aduana Stars have confirmed the appointment of Paa Kwesi Fabin as the club’s new head coach ahead of the 2022/23 season.

The Black Starlets head coach is making a return to the Dormaa-based club after ending his stay with them in 2021

A club statement on Wednesday said; “We are excited to announce Samuel Paa Kwesi Fabin as our new Head Coach. Welcome back to Dormaa Ahenkro.

Also the club announced that WO1 Rtd. Paul Tandoh has returned to Aduana Stars to assist Paa Kwesi Fabin.

“We are equally thrilled to announce WO1 Rtd. Paul Tandoh as our new Assistant Coach. Welcome back to Dormaa Ahenkro.”

Aduana Stars had a disappointing campaign last after placing 11th with 45 points.

Meanwhile, The 2022/23 Ghana Premier League will kick off on the weekend of Friday, September 9 to Monday, September 12, 2022 across all nine Premier League centers.

Report: Asante Kotoko to use youth team to play GHALCA Top 6

Asante Kotoko, according to reports, will use their yet-to-be formed youth team to play the GHALCA Top 6.

The club had already planned to have their pre-season in Europe but there were reports that due to the GHALCA competition, the club would have the pre-season in Ghana.

Kotoko and GHALCA held negotiations about the format of the competition as only four clubs were supposed to play in the competition.

Also, the club was concerned about the money involved in the competition as the amount they would get from the pre-season in Europe is higher than the amount they would get from playing the Top 6.

However, Asante Kotoko has a youth team coach but does not have a youth team at the moment. Reports reaching this website indicate that the youth team will be ready before the start of the Top 6 competition.

The tournament is scheduled to start on 14th to 31st August 2022 in two zones.

The Baba Yara Stadium will host games involving Kotoko, Bechem United and Medeama SC whereas, Hearts of Oak, Olympics and Karela on the other end will also have their games played at the Accra Sports stadium.