Kumasi Asante Kotoko have confirmed the transfer of defender Gideon Baah to Finish side FC Honka on loan but has denied reports they were planning to sell top striker Kofi Nti Boakye to a European club.
Media reports were rife in Kumasi that management of the club had sold enterprising uti;ity player Baah to an unnamed club in Finland while plans were far advanced to release Nti Boakye to a European side.
Officials of Kotoko were also reported to have made advances to secure the services of a striker from Kumasi-based second-tier side Deportivo for a striker to replace Nti Boakye
The reports said the release of the players were in line with the policy of the Dr K.K. Sarpong to readily accepts offers that would benefit the club and the player involved.
But, club Media and Supporters relations’ manager, Mr Listowell Yesu Bukarson, told the Graphic Sports yesterday that whereas Baah’s case was a done deal, there was no iota of truth in the supposed plans to transfer Nti Boakye.
Baah has been fluctuating fortunes in his career at Kotoko and playing for FC Honka could be a good step to realizing his full potential.
Joining Kotoko three seasons ago the strong defender has had his hitherto fine form take a dip after coming out of the career-threatening injury in a league math against Hearts of oak in Kumasi two seasons ago.
The left back had his regular position taken over by Baba Abdul Rahman before the latter was transferred to German Bundesliga side, Greuther Furth.
Not even the exit of Rahman could see Baah regain the regular position as Kotoko went in for Uganda international Joseph Ochaya who now commands the left back position.
His new club, FC Honka, which is based in Tapiola, gained promotion to the Finish premier league (Veikkausliiga) in 2005 and had grown within the short period to become of the strong sides in the top flight of that country.
Kotoko management’s denial of the plans to sell Boakye would come as good news to supporters of the club who see him as one of the pillars on which the team’s hope for success in Africa this year hinges.
Indeed, the 25-year-old player proved his worth as one of the key marksmen expected to lead Kotoko’s onslaught in the CAF Champions league by fetching two of the seven goals Kotoko registered against Equatorial Guinea champions, Sony Ela Nguema in the first leg Champions league preliminary tie at the Baba Yara Stadium.
Boakye is also the club’s leading scorer in the Glo Champions league, and reports of the planned transfer did not go on well with supporters of the club.
Burkarson said Kotoko have not received any offers from anywhere for the player let alone thinking of selling him.
Kotoko management had this season sold off some of their best materials including Yaw Frimpong, Daniel Nii Adjei, Awal Mohammed.
They could also lose key centre back Rashid Sumaila who is on loan from Ebusua Dwarfs, to Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in May this year.
Source: Daily Graphic
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