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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 to travel on a European training tour in Germany, Switzerland, and Italy ahead of the 2024/25 season

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The official announcement of this exciting initiative took held on Friday, December 8, 2023, at the Lancaster Hotel in Kumasi, showcasing the club's dedication to quality and worldwide competitiveness. Meanwhile, Asante Kotoko faces an early challenge as they prepare for the season's first Super Clash against arch-rivals Hearts of Oak. On Sunday, the highly anticipated match will take place at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Asante Kotoko has announced ambitious plans for a training tour of Europe beginning on July 15, 2024, in preparation for the 2024/25 season.

During the club’s training tour in Italy, the Porcupines will work with famed Italian sides Genoa and Atalanta to fine-tune their abilities and plans.

Following the Italian leg, Asante Kotoko will take their training journey to Germany and Switzerland, presenting the squad with a variety of challenges and exposures as they prepare for the forthcoming season. The extensive training programme is intended to improve team performance and create team togetherness.

The official announcement of this exciting initiative was held on Friday, December 8, 2023, at the Lancaster Hotel in Kumasi, showcasing the club’s dedication to quality and worldwide competitiveness.

Meanwhile, Asante Kotoko faces an early challenge as they prepare for the season’s first Super Clash against arch-rivals Hearts of Oak. On Sunday, the highly anticipated match will take place at the Baba Yara Stadium.

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Ghana Football

Frimpong Manso named new head coach of Bibiani Gold Stars

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Following the club's dismal start to the season, the seasoned manager will attempt to turn things around. After 13 games in the Ghana Premier League this season, the team has 12 points, putting them in the relegation zone. Frimpong Manso's first matchday 13 game is this weekend against FC Samartex 1996. Manso recently parted ways with newly promoted team Bofoakwa Tano, after joining them at the start of the season. Following an exciting start to the 2023-24 season, the former Ghana international defender was named coach of the month for September.

Bibiani Gold Stars of the Ghana Premier League have announced the hiring of Frimpong Manso as their new head coach.

The Asante Kotoko legend succeeds Michael Osei, who was given the door following a bad run of performances in the current 2023/24 season.

The Miners confirmed Manso’s employment via a social media post for the remainder of the season, with an option to extend.

Following the club’s dismal start to the season, the seasoned manager will attempt to turn things around.

After 13 games in the Ghana Premier League this season, the team has 12 points, putting them in the relegation zone.

Frimpong Manso’s first matchday 13 game is this weekend against FC Samartex 1996.

Manso recently parted ways with newly promoted team Bofoakwa Tano, after joining them at the start of the season.

Following an exciting start to the 2023-24 season, the former Ghana international defender was named coach of the month for September.

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Ghana Football

Hearts of Oak Board explains why Martin Koopman was hired

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Koopman won two games and scored six goals in ten Ghana Premier League appearances. Fans have criticised the club's leadership, with some asking for their dismissal. However, Dr Nyaho-Nyaho Tamakloe, Alhaji Akanbi, and Vincent Sowah-Odotei explained why Koopman was selected at a news conference on Monday.

Hearts of Oak board members have spoken out over Martin Koopman’s appointment.

The Dutch manager was named head coach of the Ghana Premier League team before the start of the current 2023/24 season.

However, following a rocky start, the club severed ways with the 67-year-old after only four months in command.

Koopman won two games and scored six goals in ten Ghana Premier League appearances.

Fans have criticised the club’s leadership, with some asking for their dismissal.

However, Dr Nyaho-Nyaho Tamakloe, Alhaji Akanbi, and Vincent Sowah-Odotei explained why Koopman was selected at a news conference on Monday.

“We went in for Martin Koopman because we were looking for a coach with maturity and a coach with experience. He came up on top of the list of coaches before he was hired” they said.

Hearts of Oak lost 1-0 against Aduana FC in the Ghana Premier League on matchday 12 after being eliminated from the MTN FA Cup.

The Phobians will want to get back on track when they meet Asante Kotoko in the matchday 13 games on Sunday, December 10.

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