Which player in Asante Kotoko current squad has been loyal and most dedicated? To seek greener pastures, living a new life abroad, experience new weather etc. are all contributing factors letting players move around several times during their football career.
Recently, it is difficult to see Ghanaian players sticking to one club for a longer period, but some players are committed and have stayed loyal to Asante Kotoko.
This current study by Myfabulousonline.com will let you know the 5 longest-serving players in Asante Kotoko’s current roster.
5 – Wahab Adams – Joined in December 2017
After ending his stay with Aduana Stars, Wahab Adams joined Asante Kotoko on a two-year contract on the eve of 2017 Christmas on a free transfer. He took the number 24 shirt, previously held by centre-back Evans Quao.
He played in the season’s curtain-raiser match, the 2018 Super Cup against former club Aduana Stars, which Asante Kotoko lost 0–1 at Len Clay on January 28, 2018.
A few days later Wahab Adams was named in Asante Kotoko’s final 26-man squad for the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup campaign. Wahab Adams and Asante Kotoko couldn’t achieve their group stage target as they were eliminated by CARA Brazzaville in Prelims.
He scored his first goal for the club on 8th September 2018 in a 3–2 home win against Ashgold in a friendly game.
Whiles playing in the last three African Club Competitions for Asante Kotoko, Wahab since his arrival, he has formed a partnership at the back with Awudu Nafiu, Agyemang Badu, Habib Mohammed, Ismail Abdul Ganiu etc.
He’s been tagged as a rough tackling defender but the centre-back’s disciplinary record is one to be appreciated – he’s yet to receive a red-card or to be booked in two successive games.
Wahab’s strong first year with Asante Kotoko was rewarded with his selection as best Asante Kotoko player in May 2018 by supporters Whatsapp Group ‘Kumasi Asante Kotoko Fan Page’.
Wahab missed the start of the 2019/20 season due to injury. Upon recovery, Wahab was selected by Maxwell Konadu to pair Habib Mohammed in the derby game against Hearts of Oak. Before the game, both players had zero minutes in the current season but they exhibited a perfect combination to record 2-1 victory over their arch-rivals.
4 – Collins Ameyaw – Joined in May 2017
On May 15, 2017, midfielder Collins Ameyaw joined Asante Kotoko from Berekum Chelsea under the tutelage of Steven Pollack.
On June 12, 2017, Ameyaw welcomed his debut in a fiercely contested Premier League game against Aduana. He played 47 minutes before he was replaced by Seth Opare.
Ameyaw had a handful of games in his debut season, so he opted for a move back to Berekum Chelsea on a loan deal that saw him receiving much playing time in Berekum in the 2018 season.
Ameyaw returned to Asante Kotoko ahead of 2018/19 CAF Confederation Campaign but didn’t have any favour from C.K. Akonnor as he was omitted from the official squad list presented to CAF.
Whiles impressing new manager Maxwell Konadu ahead of 2019/20 season, Ameyaw was included in the starting line-up that played against Hearts of Oak in the 2019 Presidents Cup.
On 29th December 2019, Ameyaw played his first league game for Asante Kotoko in two years, starting the season opener against Eleven Wonders in a 1–0 home win.
Ameyaw played in the all first three games of the season, but his season was halted by an injury sustained in a 0–1 home defeat to Berekum Chelsea that ruled him out for 2 games.
Ameyaw returned to training a few days later and made his return to the first team on 26th January, starting from the bench in Asante Kotoko’s 2–1 win over Hearts in the Premier League.
Ameyaw has made 5 appearances in the suspended Ghana Premier League season.
3 – Augustine Sefah – Joined in May 2017
On May 1, 2017, Asante Kotoko announced the signing of Augustine Sefah on a free transfer following several weeks of trial with the club and was handed number 32 jersey.
He joined Asante Kotoko with Premier League experience having played for Medeama and Ashantigold.
Sefah didn’t have enough playing time at the early stage due to competition from captain Amos Frimpong and Attah Kusi at the right-back position.
He made his Asante Kotoko debut in a 3-1 home win against Medeama SC July 2017.
With Amos Frimpong shifting to the left-back position, Sefah was selected to play as a right-back in the 2017 MTN F.A. Cup final against Hearts.
Whiles marking Patrick Razak and playing him out of the entire duration, his surging runs and crosses also caused a lot of troubles for the Phobians.
Sefah scored his first goal in an Asante Kotoko shirt in 2019 NC Special Tier II Competition match against Nkoranza Warriors on 2nd June 2019, shooting powerfully in from the edge of the box with his weaker left foot.
After Amos Frimpong’s exit from the club, all was set for Sefah to welcome much playing time but surprisingly, Kjetil Zacharriassen omitted Sefah’s name from Asante Kotoko’s 2019 CAF CL squad.
In December 2019, Augustine Sefah extended his stay at the club after agreeing to a new one-year deal.
2 – Emmanuel Gyamfi – Joined in June 2016
In June 2016, Asante Kotoko confirmed the signing of winger Emmanuel Gyamfi on a 3-year deal from Wa All Stars after having a short stint with Armenian side.
Gyamfi was given the number 29 shirt, previously worn by Ahmed Toure and became a regular starter under Michael Osei during the second round of the 2016 Ghana Premier League season.
The speedster was expected to give Asante Kotoko options in attack and since his debut in 2016, his performance for Asante Kotoko has always been fabulous.
On 5th March 2017, Gyamfi scored a late 93rd-minute winner against Elmina Sharks with a volley, giving him his first goal in as many games at the Baba Yara Stadium.
His performance in the home victory drew particularly high praise from fans and commentators. In November 2018, Gyamfi penned a 2-year contract extension with Asante Kotoko to keep him at the club until 2021.
Gyamfi was influential in Asante Kotoko’s 2017 F.A. Cup as he recorded an assist in the final game against Hearts of Oak.
At the start of the 2019/20 season, Gyamfi started the season well when he assisted Asante Kotoko’s season-opening goal against Eleven Wonders. In the game, Gyamfi went on to score his first and second goal of the season in Asante Kotoko’s 3-1 win over Legon Cities.
Gyamfi previously played for the 2013 National under-20 side. In September 2019, he was named in Ghana’s Black Stars ‘B’ 21-man squad for the 2019 WAFU Zone B competition in Senegal.
Since he made his debut in 2016, Gyamfi has gone to score 10 goals in 101 competitive games for Asante Kotoko.
1 – Felix Annan – Joined in August 2011
Starting his youth development at Fetteh Feyenoord (Now WAFA) and establishing himself as one of the best talents in the revered Sogakope based football academy, Asante Kotoko swooped in and lured Annan to join them in 2011 at the tender age of 15.
Not many players excel in their debut game for the Porcupines but that was not in the books of the young goalie.
In Annan’s early appearance for the Asante Kotoko first team, Annan’s showed why Asante Kotoko splashed the cash on him. He recorded a clean sheet in his debut appearance against arch-rivals Hearts at the Accra Sports Stadium when he replaced injured Abdoulaye Soulama in the second half.
Due to lack of playing time, Asante Kotoko loaned out Annan to lower-tier side RTU in 2014 and WAFA in 2015 in a short-term loan. This stint with R.T.U. later became very important as Asante Kotoko wanted the young shot-stopper to have proper development.
After returning from WAFA, Annan rose to prominence and immediately established himself as a first-team member. A dependable shot-stopper, he has made over 100 appearances in his last five seasons at the club.
Annan has been capped by Ghana at U20, U23, the Black Stars “B”. His standout performance for Asante Kotoko in the CAF Confederation Cup and N.C. Special Tier competition saw him being included in Ghana’s final 23-man squad for AFCON 2019.
In the last three years, Annan has won F.A. Cup, N.C. Special Tier 1 competition for Asante Kotoko and was confirmed as the substantive captain after the departure of Amos Frimpong in August 2019.
Just 25 years old, Annan currently has a contract until December 2022 and will look to win more laurels before his time at the club comes to an end.
source: myfabulousonline.com