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Asante Kotoko Begin Major Overhaul as Eight Players Exit Ahead of 2025/26 Season

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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.

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Europe Sports

Jamal Musiala Breaks Leg in Club World Cup Clash but Refuses to Blame Donnarumma

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Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala has spoken out following the horrific injury he sustained during Bayern’s Club World Cup quarterfinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain, saying “no one is to blame” for the incident.

 

The 22-year-old Germany international suffered a fractured fibula along with a broken and dislocated ankle after a heavy collision with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma just before halftime. Musiala was stretchered off the pitch and later flown from Atlanta back to Munich, where he underwent successful surgery. He is expected to be sidelined for several months, missing the start of the upcoming season.

Despite the seriousness of the injury, Musiala took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a calm and positive message.

 

“The surgery went really well, I’m in good care and I wanted to say there’s no one to blame for this,” he wrote. “I think situations like this happen and now I’m just going to use the next period of time to build up my strength and positivity again.”

 

However, others in the Bayern camp were less forgiving. Club captain Manuel Neuer criticized Donnarumma, accusing the Italian keeper of recklessness.

“He’s willing to accept the risk of injuring his opponent,” Neuer said.

 

Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl echoed those concerns, saying, “There’s a big danger something can happen when a goalkeeper jumps in like that. The action was not without risk.”

 

Still, the club is rallying behind Musiala in his recovery.

 

“This serious injury and the lengthy lay-off are a real shock for Jamal and all of us,” Eberl said. “Jamal has just come back from an injury and will now be out for another long period. He’ll get everything he needs from us. We’ll support him intensively and already look forward to when he’s back on the pitch.”

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Tottenham Sign Ghana Star Mohammed Kudus from West Ham in £55m Deal

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Tottenham Hotspur have officially secured the signing of Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United for £55 million, pending a work permit approval.

 

The 24-year-old, who had an £85 million release clause in his contract, has signed a six-year deal that will keep him at Spurs until 2031. West Ham had initially turned down a £50 million bid from Tottenham last week before the two clubs agreed on the final fee.

 

Kudus, who joined West Ham from Ajax for £38 million in 2023, made 65 Premier League appearances for the Hammers, registering 13 goals and nine assists. He quickly became a pivotal player at the London Stadium and attracted interest from at least six top clubs, but ultimately prioritized a move to north London.

 

Tottenham’s spending could continue with Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White also nearing a move. The midfielder is expected to undergo a medical on Friday ahead of a proposed £60 million switch to Spurs.

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Sports Minister Vows Baba Yara Stadium Revamp Ahead of CAF Competitions

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The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr. Kofi Iddie Adams, on Wednesday, July 9, paid a working visit to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi as part of a nationwide tour to assess the state of Ghana’s major sports facilities and identify both immediate and long-term renovation needs.

 

Welcomed by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, and officials from the National Sports Authority (NSA) led by the Acting Regional Director, Mr. Adams conducted a thorough inspection of the stadium’s infrastructure.

 

The visit comes at a critical moment, as Ghanaian football clubs Asante Kotoko and Bibiani Gold Stars gear up for participation in upcoming CAF Inter-Club competitions. Though the Baba Yara Stadium underwent a major facelift in 2022, the venue has since deteriorated due to lack of maintenance and critical infrastructural issues.

Key problems highlighted by the NSA during the tour included a malfunctioning irrigation system leading to poor pitch conditions, non-operational floodlights, faulty public address systems, damaged dressing rooms, outdated spectator seating, and a backlog of unpaid utility bills. Additionally, the stadium’s scoreboard has been relocated and the reserve team benches are in urgent need of replacement.

 

These deficiencies have hindered the stadium’s ability to host major local and international fixtures, sparking renewed concerns over its readiness for high-level matches.

Mr. Adams stressed the pivotal role of Kumasi in Ghana’s football heritage, describing Baba Yara Stadium as the “Mecca of Ghana football.” He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring the facility to international standards, saying the football-loving people of the Ashanti Region deserve a modern, world-class stadium.

 

To reduce the financial burden on sports infrastructure, the Minister revealed ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Energy to review utility tariffs for sports venues. He also shared plans to promote sustainable sports development, including the installation of solar-powered lighting and borehole-supported natural grass pitches.

 

Finally, Mr. Adams assured the Ashanti Regional Minister of full collaboration to fast-track essential upgrades and ensure the stadium is ready to host CAF matches in the coming months.

 

 

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