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Asante Kotoko: History, Owner, Trophies & Training Grounds 

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ASANTE KOTOKO: History, Owner, Trophies & Training Grounds

Asante Kotoko full name Asante Kotoko sporting club, Nickname(s) PORCUPINE WARRIORS is a professional football club from Kumasi, Ashanti Region of Ghana. They compete in the Ghanaian premier league and have been champions of the Ghana league a record 25 times, have won the CAF champions league twice.

The foundation for what can be described as Ghana’s best football club in terms of achievements both at home and abroad was laid by 13 young men led by a young driver, Kwasi Kuma ably assisted by his close friend Lawrence Yaw Asamoah, an electrician.

History

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Photos of some former Asante Kotoko players

Asantehene King Prempeh II, is the first life patron of Asante Kotoko. Kwasi Kuma from Nyankyerase near Kwadaso, a Kumasi suburb, was a driver in the colonial days to a Col. Ross an English Amy officer in the Gold Coast Army. In early 1924 Kwasi had watched an exciting football match in Accra between Accra Standfast and Accra Hearts of Oak and was really thrilled. He developed so much interest in football that he nursed an ambition to form a club of his own in the future. Hearts won the said match 2-1 and Sir Gordon Guggisberg, Governor of the Gold Coast presented a set of jerseys to Hearts for their good performance.

When Col. Ross returned to Britain for good towards the end of 1924, Kuma also had to return home to Kumasi where he decided to pursue his ambition of forming a club of his own. Indeed he had bought a set of jerseys from Accra for the purpose. With co-operation of his close friend, Lawrence Yaw Asamoah, he formed Kumasi Rainbow towards the end of the year 1924.

Two years later the name was changed to Ashanti United after the leaders had succeeded in recruiting a number of young promising students from ECM (Anglican) and AME Zion and Government School all in Kumasi. The two gentlemen tried to promote the game in Ashanti and within five years Ashanti could boast of strong teams like Evertons, Royals, Never Miss, Europeans, Primrose and Highlanders.

In 1931 it was decided once more to change the name of Ashanti United to Kumasi Titanics. This was the time the club had been really handicapped because most of their players in government departments like the Prisons and Railways had gone on transfer from Kumasi.

The story goes that Titanics did not find enough luck in their new name and in 1934 they adopted a more powerful name- Mighty Atoms. Still the club did not see enough progress and in 1935 Mr. James Frimpong, popularly called Teacher Frimpong, a teacher at the Kumasi Government School, now Asem Boys School, organized some young energetic boys from his school and suggested a change of name from Atoms to Asante Kotoko. This was after he had obtained special permission from the Asantehene Nana Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II.

The club was officially inaugurated on August 31, 1935 before a great assembly of chiefs and people from all walks of life. The Asantehene was represented by the Atipinhene of Kumasi, Nana Boakye Yamoa. The Asantehene and the Atipinhene were elected patrons and the first elected officers were James Darkwa- President, John Darkwa- Treasurer, John Osei Secretary, Kwame Frimpong and Kwasi Oppong- Trainers.

FOUNDED

31 August 1935, 86 years ago.

GROUND/CAPACITY

Baba Yara sports stadium Kumasi, Ashanti Region Ghana. 40,528capacity

OWNER

Owner and Life Patron of Asante Kotoko
Asante Kotoko hene at a Grande durbar

Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II is the life Patron and sole shareholder of the club. However, the Overlord of the Asante Kingdom has constituted a twelve-member board chaired by business tycoon, Dr Kwame Kyei, ably assisted by Mr Jude Arthur- Vice Chairman; Kwadwo Boateng Gyamfi; Kwasi Osei Ofori; Alhaji Lamin Abu, Madam Evelyn Nsiah-Asare, Dr Kofi Amoa-Abban, James Osei Brown, Martin Brobbey, Kwamina Mensah (Esq), Joseph Yaw Adu and Nana Ankobeahene of Asanteman, Baffour Kwame Kusi.

COACH

Prosper Narteh Ogum

CAPTAIN

Ismail Abdul Ganiyu

HONOURS

Ghana premier league: 25

GFA Normalization committee special competition: 1

MTN FA cup: 9

Ghana super cup: 16

President cup: 8

International titles: African cup of champions clubs/CAF champions league:

Training Facility

Asante Kotoko training grounds at Adako Jarchie
Former coach Steve Polack watching closely as his team trains

The Porcupine Warriors have their training facilities at Adako Jarchie, a suburb of Kumasi. Where the club have two modern pitches, hostel, toilet facilities and soon to be constructed swimming pool.

Story by: Samuel Afoakwa

Credit: Asante Kotoko Express App

Ghana Football

Asante Kotoko terminates Fatawu Safiu’s contract due to medical failure

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Asante Kotoko SC has officially terminated Abdul Fatawu Safiu's contract due to medical reasons.

A club statement by Asante Kotoko on Monday evening indicates that Abdul Fatawu Safiu’s contract has been terminated due to medical reasons.

According to the Kumasi-based royal club, the former Al-Sinaa SC striker failed a mandatory medical assessment test as required by the Ghana Football Association, following the announcement of his signing on the registration deadline day.

The returnee striker who joined Kotoko from Eleven Wonders in November 2018, ahead of the 2018–19 CAF Confederation Cup campaign has been duly informed about the health-related issues which could rule him out for a long period.

Below is a full statement by Asante Kotoko

Asante Kotoko can confirm that it has relieved forward, Abdul Fatawu Safiu due to medical reasons.

Asante Kotoko entered into an employment contract with the player in order to meet registration deadlines as announced by the Ghana Football Association, and had to ensure that the player undergoes the pre-competition medical assessment which is the basic and compulsory requirement by the GFA.

This medical assessment was duly done awaiting further tests. The further assessment by the club’s medical team revealed other health related issues which could rule him out for a long period. The club, after being informed about the situation, concluded that continuing an employment contract with the player would not be of full benefit to both parties – the club and the player. Details of the specific medical condition have been clearly communicated to the player.

It is imperative to note that the GFA has rejected his registration, so keeping him would not be in the best interest of the club and the player, hence the decision to end the relationship.

The club wishes Abdul Fatawu Safiu the very best for the future and wish to assure him that he forever remains one of us, and he is welcome to serve in any capacity in the future.

Signed….

Management.

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Ghana Football

Abdul Fatawu returns to Asante Kotoko on a two-year contract

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The forward stated on the club's website: "I am very excited about this opportunity," he stated with a laugh. "Everyone knows Kotoko is my favourite club, and as a kid, it was my dream to play for Kotoko and achieve that."

Abdul Fatawu Safiu has signed a deal with Kotoko until January 2026.

The NC’s special competition’s best player and top scorer in 2019 returns after spells with Trelleborgs FF and FC Trollhättan in Sweden.

Safiu made his debut for the Kumasi-based royal club in the 2018-2019 season, scoring thirteen goals in sixteen games, including some amazing strikes in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The return of the forward is part of Coach Prosper Narteh’s goal of returning to the CAF Champions League.

The forward stated on the club’s website:

“I am very excited about this opportunity,” he stated.

“Everyone knows Kotoko is my favourite club, and as a kid, it was my dream to play for Kotoko and achieve that.”

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Ghana Football

Asante Kotoko announce signing of Emmanuel Kotei on a three-year deal

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"Kotoko is every player's dream, and mine has finally come true." "Having the opportunity to wear our colours means everything to me as a local boy." He informed the club's journalists.

Asante Kotoko have announced the acquisition of right-back Emmanuel Kotei on a three-year contract from Nsoatreman FC.

The 26-year-old brings Premier League experience from his time with Tamale City.

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The offensive full-back demonstrated his skill and promise while playing for Nsoatreman and Tamale City, appearing in 47 games for both teams since the start of the 2022/23 season.

Kotei, who has been on the club’s scouting team’s radar, is our first addition of the second transfer window.

During his unveiling, the Kumasi native couldn’t contain his joy.

“Kotoko is every player’s dream, and mine has finally come true.” “Having the opportunity to wear our colours means everything to me as a local boy.” He informed the club’s journalists.

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