5 Top Kotoko Players On Way Out

Accra Mail (Accra) October 12, 2000 M.B. Brimah

Five top players of Kumasi Asante Kotoko will find their names on the transfer list in a couple of weeks from now. They are made up of three strikers/midfielders and a goalkeeper.

According to the Scroll Ball, Adu Poku, Shamo Abbey, Kambou Sie Clovis, Humphrey Amoah and Mark Ofori alias Mark Fish are on the list. Management sources told Mail Sports that the problem of the club is with strikers not scoring. Last year the Herbert Mensah administration recognised the problem and accordingly bought greatly heralded players. Unfortunately, the problem still persists. According to club president Herbert Mensah, his administration will have to address the problem. "We cannot afford to go through next football season like this.

We need strikers who can give Kotoko a minimum of 12 to 14 goals each season," he said. "Misses by our forward liners in front of goal did not help our cause either," Herbert Mensah added. Although the club president did not mention any name, the Scroll Ball has put up the above-mentioned names as casualties. The Kotoko management will soon take a decision on player recruitment and transfer of players, management sources told Mail Sports. Other decisions the Kotoko Management will have to take will touch on the technical recruitment, establishment of new managerial structures, re-organisation of supporter base and preparation of the club accounts for presentation to Otumfuo. Meanwhile Coach Ernst Middendrop has spotted some potential players in his scouting moves at Kade, Oda and Brong-Ahafo Region.

All these players spotted by the Coach would be brought to Kumasi in time to enable them gain the Kotoko spirit, temper- ament and character in some friendly matches secured for the club. But then Frank Atsou of Kotoko has vamoosed. With whose blessing?