Sports
Asante Kotoko Begin Major Overhaul as Eight Players Exit Ahead of 2025/26 Season
Asante Kotoko, reigning MTN FA Cup champions, have parted ways with eight players following the conclusion of the 2024/25 football season.
Leading the list of departures is club captain Justice Blay, whose contract ran out at season’s end. Once a key player and crowd favorite, Blay’s exit is thought to be influenced by disciplinary issues, which ultimately led to the club opting not to renew his deal. Even with his strong leadership qualities and midfield dominance, Kotoko appears set on pursuing a new path.
Former WAFA star Michael Kyei Dwamena also bids farewell after three years of diligent service. Known for his impressive work rate and consistent displays, Dwamena is now a free agent and is already drawing interest from other Ghanaian clubs.
Nigerian forward Fernando Wisdom Bassey, who joined Kotoko from Sporting Lagos in August 2024, also failed to impress during his brief stint. Despite making 16 league appearances, Bassey scored just once before being let go.
Additionally, Daniel Adrian Adjetey, Kwasi Asante, Samuel Tenadu, and Sampson Eduku — all mid-season signings — have been shown the door after failing to establish themselves in the squad.
According to club insiders, these player exits are part of a wider restructuring as Kotoko gears up to mount a stronger challenge in the 2025/26 campaign. Kotoko, who will fly Ghana’s flag in the CAF Confederation Cup next season, are committed to assembling a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
On the retention front, Kotoko have opened talks to renew contracts for key players including Frederick Asare, Andrews Ntim Manu, and Baba Yahaya, with agreements expected to be finalized before the pre-season kicks off.
Meanwhile, the club has begun pursuing new signings to bolster its squad, with Hubert Gyau, Zakaria Fuseini, and Francis Acquah among the targets.
Having capped off their campaign by clinching a record 10th FA Cup title after defeating Golden Kick SC, Kotoko aim to leverage this success as they usher in a new chapter of competitive ambition.
Asante Kotoko head coach, Abdul Karim Zito, says his side is fully prepared to take on Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Confederation Cup. The Porcupine Warriors will host Wydad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 19, 2025, for the first leg of their second preliminary round tie. The return fixture will take place a week later in Morocco.
The overall winner will progress to the group stage — a milestone Zito describes as the team’s minimum target this season.
“We are definitely ready. We’ll put finishing touches to our preparations tomorrow,” Zito told Joy Sports.
“We’ve studied Wydad’s game carefully and implemented what I want the players to do on Sunday. Everyone is focused and ready.”
Kotoko enter this clash in high spirits after eliminating Kwara United of Nigeria in the previous round, winning 4–3 in Ghana and 1–0 away in Abeokuta.
Zito believes that a win in Accra will set the tone for qualification.
“If we beat Wydad here, it means I have another game to plan for in Morocco,” he said.
“The goal is to avoid conceding there, just like we did against Kwara. Our main target is to reach the group stage — that’s what we’re working for.”
The coach emphasized the importance of winning the home leg, using a passionate message to motivate his players.
> “It’s very important to win in Accra,” he said. “I told them, ‘You will not see Africa until you are in Africa.’ I reminded them how Dreams FC made it to the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals and now all those players have moved on. This is their moment to showcase their talent and make people believe in them.”
Asante Kotoko will be counting on the home crowd’s support when the game kicks off at 3:00 p.m. GMT.
President John Dramani Mahama has called on the Black Stars to aim higher and make history after securing their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana sealed qualification with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium, thanks to a close-range finish from Mohammed Kudus.
Reflecting on Ghana’s football journey, President Mahama recalled the unforgettable heartbreak of 2010, when Asamoah Gyan’s missed penalty against Uruguay cost the nation a chance at the semi-finals.
He also drew inspiration from Morocco’s historic 2022 World Cup run, which saw them become the first African nation to reach the semi-finals — urging the Black Stars to dream even bigger this time.
“We must follow in the footsteps of Morocco by going beyond the semi-finals and, who knows, with fingers crossed, bring the World Cup trophy home to make Ghana and Africa proud,” President Mahama said in an interview with Sporty FM.
The President also appealed for unity and unconditional support for the team.
“We must all rally behind the Black Stars,” he said. “Let’s leave politics and ethnicity aside and give them our full backing.”
The Black Stars will learn their group-stage opponents when the 2026 World Cup draw takes place on December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has turned down Asante Kotoko’s request to use the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for their upcoming CAF Confederation Cup fixture against Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club.
The Kumasi-based club had hoped to host the second preliminary round match at their traditional home ground, citing recent upgrades made to the facility. However, CAF has deemed the stadium unfit to stage the high-profile encounter, insisting it does not meet the required standards.
In a statement issued by the club, management expressed regret over the decision, confirming that the first-leg tie will now take place at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 19, 2025, with kick-off set for 3:00 p.m.
“Asante Kotoko regrets to inform its supporters that CAF has declined the approval of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to host our CAF Confederation Cup clash against Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco,” the statement read.
The Porcupine Warriors advanced to this stage of the competition after eliminating Nigeria’s Kwara United with a 5–3 aggregate victory in the first round.
Before turning their attention to the continental challenge, Kotoko will face city rivals Nations FC in a Ghana Premier League encounter on October 11.
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