Chief Executive Officer of Asante Kotoko, Nana Yaw Amponsah, has shed light on FC Zurich's decision to sign Hearts of Oak's Daniel Afriyie Barnieh instead of Franck Mbella Etouga from Kotoko.
Amponsah opened up about the circumstances surrounding the Swiss club's interest in the Cameroonian striker from Kotoko. He revealed that FC Zurich had initially set their sights on Etouga but had intended to finalize the deal during the January transfer window.
In an effort to retain Etouga's services and leverage the European interest, Amponsah implored the player to remain with Kotoko and contribute to their CAF Champions League campaign.
"I practically begged him because I knew FC Zurich were interested in him but would only sign him in January," Amponsah admitted candidly during his interview with Oyerepa FM.
"So I was even begging him that if he helps us qualify for the group stages of the Champions League, his stock will rise higher, and by January, a European team will come for you, and I mentioned the name of the team to him."
Regrettably for Kotoko, their plea fell on deaf ears as Etouga declined the proposition, ultimately leaving Ghana for pastures anew. Seizing the opportunity, FC Zurich redirected their attention to Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, ultimately securing his services instead.
"Zurich came again, and they went for Afriyie Barnieh for the price that the Egyptian team couldn't afford. If Mbella had taken his time, he would have been in Europe, not Egypt," Amponsah revealed, expressing his disappointment with the turn of events.
Since joining El Masry in the Egyptian League, Franck Mbella Etouga has seen moderate success, participating in 27 matches and managing to find the back of the net once in the eight matches he has played so far.