Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko have set sights on securing the services of experienced attacker Joseph Esso in the upcoming transfer window.The Porcupine Warriors are keen on strengthening their attack for next season, and Esso, who currently plies his trade for Dreams FC has emerged as one of their top targets heading into the summer window.Esso rejoined the Still Believe lads in March 2024 and has since established himself as key member of the squad. This season, the 28-year-old has racked up 9 goals in 29 appearances in the Ghana Premier League.According to reports, negotiations are ongoing between Asante Kotoko and Dreams FC over a possible transfer in the impending window.Meanwhile, Dreams FC are said to be ready to cash in on enterprising attacker at the right price. At the moment, the club is focused in the remaining Ghana Premier League matches despite huge Kotoko interest in their player.Karim Zito, who recently joined Kotoko from Dreams FC is expected to play a huge role in the acquisition of Esso.With his wealth of experience in the domestic league, Esso could be a great addition to the Asante Kotoko squad should the move materialize.Esso is not...

Bibiani Gold Stars and Asante Kotoko will clash in the top fixture of the week at the Bibiani Park, with both sides keen to strengthen their title push.Gold Stars, currently second on the table, trail the leaders Nations FC by just a point, while Kotoko sit fourth, three points behind.This encounter comes five months after their last meeting in the Premier League, which saw Kotoko win 2-0. Bibiani Gold Stars approach this fixture with renewed belief after a narrow victory over Nsoatreman last Sunday.Asante Kotoko are also enjoying a strong run, securing back-to-back wins over Dreams FC and Berekum Chelsea, extending their unbeaten streak to four matches. However, they remain goalless in their last three away games, an issue that could test their attacking credentials in Bibiani.The head-to-head record slightly favours Kotoko, who have won three of their six encounters since March 2022, with the remaining three ending in draws. Across those matches, Gold Stars have managed just two goals, while Kotoko have scored ten.In 31 league games this season, Bibiani Gold Stars have recorded 16 wins, 8 draws, and 7 losses, scoring 31 goals and conceding only 19. Kotoko, on the other hand, have...

Barcelona will not be triggering the purchase option on Ghanaian midfielder Abdul Aziz Issah, drawing a sudden and disappointing close to what many believed would be the beginning of a fruitful European journey, SPORT has reported. Signing on loan in September 2024 from Dreams FC in Ghana, Issah's transfer to Catalonia was met with expectation.His involvement in first-team training sessions with Hansi-Dieter Flick early on raised expectations, with the perception that the club had discovered a gem.Reality at his time at Barcelona, though, is otherwise. Issah played a total of 26 minutes in two matches for Barcelona Atletic - a glimpse of the potential that saw him stand out in Ghana's junior ranks.Despite a screaming need for options in midfield and injuries in the squad, he was left out of matchday squads for months on end, stoking speculation about his development and integration into the team.The contrast with his situation at Barcelona and his brilliance playing for Ghana at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations could not be more stark.His form in the tournament resuscitated discussion of his potential, but not sufficiently to influence Barcelona's technical team.By letting his buyout clause expire, the...

Heart of Lions head coach Bashir Hayford says his side must produce a “special” display to defeat Young Apostles in Sunday’s crucial Ghana Premier League clash, a match he believes could spark their fading title ambitions.The Kpando-based side, who are currently third and three points adrift of top spot, have struggled for form since the turn of the year, winning just eight of their last 17 league games.Their home dominance has also faded, managing only one victory in their last three matches in Kpando, including a 1-1 draw with Dreams FC in March.Young Apostles, meanwhile, have also been inconsistent. They have won six, drawn five, and lost seven during the same period.The team sits 17 points behind Heart of Lions and are fighting to avoid relegation.“This game will be very important,” said Hayford. “The match against Basake Holy Stars was tough. We drew and took a point. Now we must prepare well for Young Apostles.”Heart of Lions won the first-leg encounter 1-0 at home back in December, and they’ll be hoping to repeat that result as they head to Wenchi.

Dreams FC interim head coach Wilfred Dormon has stated that his future with the club lies solely in the hands of management.Dormon, a former player for Tudu Mighty Jets who transitioned into coaching after retirement, acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his role following their 4-1 defeat to Asante Kotoko in Kumasi on Sunday.“I must manage the rest of the games and make sure I keep preparing my team,” he said. “That decision is up to management, not me.”With three matches left in the campaign, the coach is shifting focus to the task ahead, which includes challenging fixtures against Berekum Chelsea, Accra Lions, and Legon Cities.“Berekum Chelsea is a very difficult side, Accra Lions are also battling relegation, and we still have Legon Cities to play,” he added. “We need to look forward and focus on those games. So that decision is in the bosom of management.”Dreams FC currently sit 9th on the Ghana Premier League table with 43 points and will host Berekum Chelsea at the Tuba Astroturf on Sunday.

Stop-gab coach of Dreams FC, Winfred Dormon, says it is up to the management of the club to decide on his future. Dormon has been in charge of the club since Abdul Karim Zito left the club to join Asante Kotoko as Prosper Narteh Ogum's successor midway through the second half of the ongoing football season.Speaking following his side's 4-1 defeat to Kotoko over the weekend, Dormon said he is only focused on his current task and will accept whatever choice the club makes."I must manage the rest of the games and make sure I keep preparing my team. That decision is up to management to make that decision not me," he said."We have three remaining games to play, Berekum Chelsea, it's very difficult to play them, Accra Lions, who are also battling with relegation, and we also have Legon Cities to play. So, we need to look forward and focus on those games."So that decision is in the bosom of the management," he added.Dormon first joined Dreams F.C. in June 2019, as substantive head coach, having previously served as assistant to Finnish coach Juha Pasoja.He also served as assistant to three other coaches:...

Asante Kotoko legend Sarfo Gyamfi is prioritizing Karim Zito for the technical director job over coaching, saying the latter can help develop players for the Porcupine Warriors.Zito returned to Kotoko as the new technical director and interim coach of the Porcupine Warriors following the sacking of Prosper Narteh Ogum after a string of unimpressive results in the Ghana Premier League.The experienced Ghanaian trainer has made strides since joining the Porcupine Warriors from Dreams FC. He has already guided Kotoko to the FA Cup finals and remain on course for the Ghana Premier League title challenge three games to end the season.Speaking to Kessben FM, the former Kotoko star eulogized Karim Zito’s qualities, saying he can help develop players for the team considering his exploits with Dreams FC.“Zito is a coach I like. No qualms if he becomes the substantive coach or remain as technical director. He can help develop players for us as a technical director. He is noted for unearthing talents considering what he did for Dreams FC. He was able to assemble a new team for this season after losing a chunk of players to clubs abroad” he said.Asante Kotoko will travel to...

Asante Kotoko forward Kwame Opoku is confident that the club will secure silverware this season, insisting that going trophyless is not an option.After scoring a brace and providing an assist in Kotoko's 4-1 win over Dreams FC, Opoku expressed his strong belief in the team's chances of ending the season with at least one trophy."We can't go trophyless this season, no, it's not happening," Opoku said, emphasizing the team's determination to win the FA Cup if not the league title.This unwavering commitment underscores the team's resolve to bring home a trophy, with Opoku set to play a crucial role in their quest.Kotoko will face Division One side Golden Kicks in the MTN FA Cup final on June 15 at the University of Ghana Stadium, as they chase their 10th title in the competition.With his current form, Opoku will be instrumental in Kotoko's bid for a domestic double.With just three matches remaining in the league, Kotoko are fourth on the table with 54 points, three points behind the leaders.Opoku's focus will be on helping the team climb the standings and secure a trophy, either through the league or the FA Cup.

Interim head coach of Asante Kotoko, Abdul Karim Zito, has opened up about the secret behind the team’s improvement since he took charge.The former Dreams FC was appointed to lead the Porcupine Warriors last month after the team went four matches without a win.After coming on board, Asante Kotoko are now four games unbeaten, having won three and drawn the other one.Speaking in a post-match interview after Kotoko’s 4-1 win over Dreams FC on Sunday, Coach Abdul Karim Zito noted that he has seen a lot of improvement in the team.He argued that this has been possible because players listen to his instructions.“There have been a lot of improvements. I’ve seen a lot of improvement. They give me their listening ear. Anytime I talk to them, they listen,” Coach Zito said.The interim head coach of Asante Kotoko added, “They are grownups, some with wives and children, so that is where the management criteria comes in. You don’t have to be shouting all the time. Seriously, they enjoy training with me. I’m like their father. We all joke, but I’ve been advising them.”Coach Zito is determined to win a trophy with Asante Kotoko at...

Asante Kotoko forward Kwame Opoku is adamant that his team will not go trophyless this season.After scoring a brace and providing an assist in Kotoko's 4-1 win over Dreams FC, Opoku expressed his confidence in the team's chances of securing silverware."We can’t go trophyless this season, no, it’s not happening," Opoku said, emphasizing the team's determination to win the FA Cup if not the league title.Kotoko are currently fourth in the league with 54 points, three points behind the leaders.Opoku will play a crucial role in Kotoko's quest for a domestic double as they face Golden Kicks in the MTN FA Cup final on June 15.The Porcupine Warriors are chasing their 10th title in the competition, and Opoku is determined to help his team lift the trophy.

Asante Kotoko striker Kwame Opoku expressed frustration over offside decisions that went against him during the team's 4-1 win over Dreams FC.Despite scoring a brace and providing an assist, Opoku was unhappy with his performance, feeling he could have scored more.Opoku acknowledged his indecisiveness at times and vowed to work on improving his decision-making and checking his runs in the final third. "The offside decisions against me really frustrated me," he said.Opoku remains a key figure in Kotoko's title ambitions, having scored 10 goals in all competitions since rejoining the club in December 2024.The striker is hoping to do more to ensure the club secured a silverware in the ongoing season. With Kotoko Stiil in contention for the Ghana Premier League title, the Porcupine Warriors also stand a huge chance of winning the FA Cup having secured a place in the final last week.

Asante Kotoko striker Kwame Opoku expressed disappointment with his performance despite scoring a brace and providing an assist in the team's 4-1 win over Dreams FC.Opoku believes he could have scored more goals, citing indecisiveness and frustrating offside decisions.Opoku acknowledged that he was indecisive at times when he had chances, which cost him potential goals.He vowed to work on improving his decision-making and checking his runs in the final third to capitalize on scoring opportunities."I'm not a happy man. I think I should have scored more," Opoku said, highlighting his commitment to self-improvement.Opoku's performance was crucial in helping Kotoko close the gap with league leaders Nations FC.With 10 goals in all competitions since rejoining the club in December 2024, Opoku remains a key figure in Kotoko's title ambitions.He will look to fine-tune his game ahead of the remaining matches to help the team achieve success.

Asante Kotoko striker Kwame Opoku has declared that the club must end the current campaign with a trophy, reaffirming the team’s ambition to avoid a barren season.His comments followed an inspired performance in which he netted twice and registered an assist in Kotoko’s emphatic 4-1 win over Dreams FC.The result brought the Porcupine Warriors within three points of league leaders Nations FC, intensifying the race for the Ghana Premier League title with just three matches to go.Kotoko currently sit fourth on the log with 54 points, and Opoku’s resurgence in form has come at a crucial time.Since his return to the club in December 2024, the 24-year-old forward has now scored 10 goals across all competitions.Speaking to the press after the match, Opoku made clear that the club is determined to bring silverware to Kumasi this season.“For the FA Cup, we can’t go trophyless this season, no, it’s not happening,” he said. “We are hoping that by the end of the season, we’ll lift a trophy. If not the league, then we must win the FA Cup for Asanteman.”Kotoko will look to secure their 10th MTN FA Cup title when they take on...

Asante Kotoko striker Kwame Opoku is determined to improve his decision-making despite scoring a brace and providing an assist in the team's 4-1 win over Dreams FC.Opoku expressed disappointment with his performance, feeling he could have scored more goals.Opoku acknowledged his indecisiveness at times and vowed to work on checking his runs and improving his decision-making in the final third."I'll work on checking my runs and improving my decision-making," he said.With 10 goals in all competitions since rejoining Kotoko in December 2024, Opoku remains crucial to the team's title ambitions.He will look to fine-tune his game ahead of the remaining matches.