Abanga's Saga Takes A New Turn

THE common name on the lips of every Tom, Dick and Harry who likes football is Kofi Abanga. The 5ft 7in, 19-year old midfielder from Div One campaigners, Aduana Stars has dominated all talk in the newspapers and on radio with respect to where he will finally pitch camp. Hearts drew first blood by getting the lad to train with them some few weeks past and mustered the nerves to declare Abanga a near-Phobian but arch-rivals Kotoko seems to be having the last laugh.

In an exclusive interview, Abanga said “Kotoko showed a high level of seriousness and my heart was always going for whoever exhibited the true colours of wanting me”. The player who spots a conspicuous tribal mark on his left check expatiated further by saying that he had agreed to join Kotoko and would want them to contact his former club, Aduana Stars for his registration card. The deal which is believed to be in the region of ¢150 million for 3 years is set to be stymied by Hearts of Oak who have their pride hurt and are doing all in their power to get the player.

Sources close to 90 Minutes indicate that the life patron of Aduana Stars and chief of Dormaa, Osabarima Agyeman Badu, is said to favour a move to Hearts and will therefore want to see Abanga play for Hearts. Hearts trump card is that they now possess the registration card Kotoko would need to make the utility midfielder officially theirs and have gone on to say that any team who wants the player now must come to them for negotiations. But latest reports indicate that the player is developing cold feet on the Kotoko deal even though he's in their camp with body guards accompanying him wherever he goes.

Abanga is reportedly muddying the waters by declaring to Hearts he wants to play for them whilst saying the same thing to officials of Kotoko. Fully aware of the “Sword of Damocles” that hangs loosely over their heads, the CEO of Asante Kotoko, Sylvester Asare- Owusu has asked for a smooth transfer devoid of any traditional chief's involvement. “Let's leave the traditional chiefs out and concentrate on what the player wants” he lamented.