THE AFFECTION: “I can never play for Asante Kotoko” – Former Hearts of Oak midfielder Glid Otanga reveals

Former Hearts of Oak midfielder, Glid Otanga, has opened up on why he turned down a move to Asante Kotoko when he was approached by the Kumasi-based club.

In an exclusive interview with Ghanasportspage.com, Otanga revealed that he received an offer from Kotoko, but his strong bond with Hearts of Oak made it impossible for him to join their arch-rivals.

“I can never play for Kotoko because the feeling I have for Hearts of Oak is very special,” Otanga stated. “Before I left Hearts of Oak, I was getting offers from Kotoko people that if I want to play, I can come because they need me. To move from Accra Hearts of Oak to go to Kumasi Asante Kotoko? No, no, it will be a big case for me,” he told Ghanasportspage.com.

Otanga, who featured in 53 games for Hearts of Oak over two seasons and scored two goals, explained that he wasn’t motivated by pressure from fans, as he is a confident individual who doesn’t fear criticism. He acknowledged that some fans in Congo may have been disappointed by his decision to leave Hearts of Oak and join Al-Kharaitiyat SC in Qatar on a permanent deal.

“I’ve seen people in Congo criticizing me on social media for my move, but I don’t care because these people can’t feed me and my family when I am no more playing actively,” Otanga said.

“Though I understand them because they wanted me to move to a big team in Europe because of my talent so that they can watch me, as a man, make the choice and take responsibility for it. Hearts of Oak is my family, and I can’t leave them and go to Kumasi.”

Otanga’s decision to reject Kotoko’s offer was motivated by his deep affection for Hearts of Oak, which he considers his family.

The 23-year-old Congolese international had previously played for Akonangui FC of Equatorial Guinea and Coton Sport FC de Garoua in Cameroon before joining Hearts of Oak.

Listen to what he said during the interview with Sir Martin on Monday: