Two times champions of the CAF Champions League Asante Kotoko stretched to the last to meet CAF Champions League player registration deadline on Sunday by overwhelmingly succeeding in signing six new players as well as replacing departed CK Akonnor with Kjetil Zachariassen as manager in a space of just 72 hours.
Five of the six players arrived from the domestic league after successful season with their respective clubs in the past seasons including the just ending Normalisation Committee (NC) Special competition Tier 1 & 2, including one Ivorian import, Adingra Bidodane Moussa from Nigerian Premier League giants, Lobi Stars.
Having won the NC Special Competition Tier 1 under the then coach CK Akonnor to secure ticket to return the Champions League football for the first time since 2015, the Porcupine Warriors removed Akonnor as head coach and offered him a Technical Director role pending his acceptance at the time of writing, and have now replaced him with former Ashanti Gold SC Norwegian boss Kjetil Zachariason, who took over the managerial seat after penning a three years deal to Baba Yara outfit.
The incredible signing spree begun with Medeama SC midfielder enforcer Justice Blay on a season long loan, followed by free agent goalkeeper Kwame Baah who inked a three years deal after a successful medical to complete his dream move to join the “Kum Apem” family.
Kelvin Andoh, ex Wa All Stars silky star became the third signing for the Porcupine Warriors in yet another three years deal that saw him unveiled alongside Blay and Baah all in a matter of two days.
The demands of squad depth for Champions league football meant Kotoko could not be satisfied with the one attacker (Kelvin), one midfielder (Blay) and one goalkeeper (Baah) and expanded their recruitment exercise to the Aiyinase based side Karela United where successfully captured centre back Ampem Dacosta to become their fourth signing.
The recruitment team then moved beyond the shores of the country to Nigeria Professional Football League to land another forward, Adingra Bidodane Moussa from Lobi Stars. Like the others, the dreadlocks striker completed a move the Porcupine Warriors in on a three years deal.
The mass signing was then rounded off with a last-minute capture of regional rivals Ashanti Gold SC midfielder Godred Asiamah who became the sixth new arrival on a three years deal.
It is left to be seen whether there shall be no more signings looking at the current players at the club’s disposal. Kotoko resume training today at the refurbished Adako Jachie training grounds under new coach Kjetil Zachariassen.