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Asante Kotoko yet-to-be formed youth team coach, Abdulai Gazale has revealed that the club will hold its first justify your inclusion exercise for players in Kumasi next week.

The Ghanaian giants who were previously known for producing best talents into their senior side and into the various youth national teams of Ghana have suffered few setbacks in their youth academy system for some years now.

Prior to the non-working Kotoko’s youth system, the Youth academy development program had produced quality players like Michael Ofosu Appiah, Nii Baah, Francis Akwaffo Boateng, Tony Yeboah, Dauda Mohammed, Sarfo Taylor, among others.

In recent times, due to financial problems and series of changes in administrative structure of the Kumasi-based club, the youth system was shut down some years ago. However, with the current endeavor to bring back the old Kotoko, there are ongoing new developments in the club which include the bringing back of the youth academy system.

The Ghana Premier League champions want to build a very vibrant youth system, and have announced to footballers who are below 20 years to begin their trials at team’s training grounds next week.

“Our CEO informed me that the budget is ready so we will hold our first justify next week to select about 25 players to start our academy,” Abdulai Gazale confirmed in an interview with Kumasi-based Kessben FM.

Nana Yaw Amponsah and his management believe that setting the pace with the youth team and the women’s team will make Kotoko the first elite team in Ghana to run such a model.

Head coach of Asante Kotoko, Prosper Narteh Ogum has disclosed receiving offers from clubs outside the country.

Ogum led the Porcupines to a successful campaign in just his first season in charge of the club in his first season.

The 44-year-old has a year left on his current deal but reports in Kumasi suggest the former WAFA coach could extend his stay with the Reds.

Speaking to Cape Coast-based ATL FM on Sunday, the 2021/22 coach of the year disclosed that despite being contacted by some foreign clubs, he will respect his contract with Asante Kotoko and stay at the club.

“I have a two-year contract with Kotoko and I will respect it. Although some teams outside Ghana have requested for my services, I am for Kotoko and I love serving them,” he said.

He added that: “I now know and understand my players and vice versa. So I want most of them to stay at Kotoko. [The team] going to Africa although I understand the business aspect of football.”

Ogum will lead Asante Kotoko in next season’s CAF Champions League campaign which begins in September.

Hearts of Oak goalkeeper, Richard Attah has called on the club to do everything possible to keep striker Daniel Afriyie Barnieh for another season.

Attah believes the Phobians would need to prevent their prized asset from leaving the club if they want to make a significant impact in Africa and win laurels locally.

Barnieh remains the most influential player in the current Hearts set-up, having led the team to win the Ghana Premier League title and two MTN FA Cups in two years.

The 21-year-old has been a transfer target of most European and North African clubs after consistent performances with Hearts and is believed to be considering a move abroad.

However, his teammate Attah is of the view that the club should pay the former Kotoko trialist a minimum wage of GHs15,000 to retain him at the club.

“Afriyie Barnieh is the top player in the Ghana Premier League. He is the most important player at Hearts now and to me, he is worth Ghs15,000 monthly. I think with his level, that’s the least he should be paid. We need to retain him at the club,” he said in an interview with Accra-based Angel TV.

Since 2019, Barnieh has featured 64 times for Hearts in all competitions, netting 12 times with 6 assists.

Asante Kotoko midfielder, Mudasiru Salifu is set to seal a move to Moldovan giants Sheriff Tiraspol, according to Myfabulousonline.com.

Mudasiru Salifu, unlike Andrews Appau and Richard Boadu has so impressed the technical handlers of the team headed by Stjepan Tomas during their trials with the club last week and will complete a move to FC Sheriff.

With just few months to end his stint with Asante Kotoko and having no desire for an extension, the management are expected to get a juicy deal for the combative midfielder in order to raise the revenue of the club.

Talks between the two clubs are far advanced and a deal could be struck in the coming days should Sheriff meet Kotoko’s demands.

Asante Kotoko has had a beneficial transfer dealing with FC Sheriff after the sale of Razak Abalora early this year and Mudasiru Salifu is probably the next player getting the chance to don the yellow and black jersey of the Moldovan giants.

Mudasiru, 25, since joining Kotoko in 2019 has made 59 appearances for the club, scoring twice and helping the Reds lift the 2021/22 Premier League title as he was an influential member.