Kotoko Lose Iddi Yahaya To Kessben

NEW entrants, Kessben FC, appear to have pulled a fast one on Kumasi Asante Kotoko by agreeing terms with King Faisal's Iddrissu Yahaya. Originally a target of Asante Kotoko, Iddrisu Yahaya who was injury-plagued for most part of last season decided on Kessben FC after talks with the club reached its crescendo some weeks back.

Having played for King Faisal for the last seven years, Iddi as he's affectionately called felt the need to move on, with clubs like Kotoko and Hearts hankering for his signature. As the two teams carved master plans to lure the stalwart defender away, with Hearts using Abdul Karim Zito who coached him at King Faisal as the bait, Kessben FC surreptitiously crept into the picture. And when astute officials like Randy Abbey are involved, you do not expect anything short of the pendulum swinging Kessben FC's favour, but that wasn't without sweat as Alhaji Karim Grunsah was always expected to bargain hard for one of his most dependable players.

Though Iddi's contract expires on 18th July, 2007, and could be leaving on a free transfer in a week's time, the tough-skinned Grunsah wouldn't accept terms offered by two officials of Kessben FC (thought to be Coach Frempong Manso and a close transfer associate of the club who's is in constant touch with Randy Abbey). Iddi consented to Alhaji's stance saying, “Alhaji has been a father to me and I'd want him to accrue something substantial from my sale. Even if I go on a free transfer, I will still ensure that he receives what he deserves”

90 Minutes can confirm that Alhaji has since softened his stance and is expected to collect a cool 100 million cedis whilst the player laughs all the way to the bank 300 million cedis richer. Grapevine sources indicate that officials of Kotoko came back strongly into the picture issuing two contract forms reportedly signed by Kotoko's C.E.O Sylvester Asare-Owusu to the player. Details of the contract were not immediately known but it was revealed that, not even their purported inclusion of the no-nonsense Black Meteors defender in their squad for the trip to Germany, worked things in their favour.