By: Jerome Otchere

Date: 30-05-11

Awal Mohammed, Michael Akuffu, Nathaniel Asamoah on one hand and Daniel Nii Adjei are expected to leave the shores of Ghana soon for Ukraine and Israel respectively for trials when 2010/2011 season ends.

Administrative and acting Public Affairs Manager of Asante Kotoko, Benjamin Nti disclosed this over last weekend.

According to him, the first three players, ie, Awal Mohammed, Michael Akuffu and Nathaniel Asamoah would leave when the season is over and added that for Nii Adjei an Israeli football agent has been watching him over the past few weeks and that he would also be on his way out.

Benjamin Nti however did not give names of exactly which clubs Nii Adjei and the three other players would undergo trials at since management wanted to be fully satisfied with their travel arrangements before making the names of the clubs public.

 “Nii Adjei is being closely watched by an agent from Israel. He came down to watch him in the league matches against Ashantigold and Mighty Jets” said Benjamin Nti.

While Awal Mohammed, Michael Akuffu and Nathaniel Asamoah joined Kotoko at the start of the second half of this season, Nii Adjei signed for Kotoko in the second round of the 2006/2007 season.

He is therefore in his fourth season at Kotoko. He was one of the young players recruited by former Kotoko technical handler, Bashir Hayford during his time. Nii Adjei and the three other players have been instrumental in turning the fortunes of Kotoko around this season.

Not many Kotoko supporters have been enthused ever since the news broke that some of the key players have been penciled for transfer to foreign clubs and would most likely not be part of the team when the 2011/2012 season opens.

The fans insist these players must be maintained to ensure consistent form in the club’s team building efforts.

However, comparing economic conditions and all other considerations here to what pertains in Europe for example, it would be difficult if not impossible for any local club to resist the temptation not to transfer its high performing players abroad when reasonably fair and good offers are splashed on the table.

management’s assurance has also been that they would get equally good replacements in case these players leave.