Asante Kotoko head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum has revealed his long-standing desire to work with Congolese defender Samba Ndongani O’Neil, a player he has admired for the past three seasons.
Samba joined Asante Kotoko last month as a free agent after concluding his contract with Rahimo FC in Burkina Faso.
The defender made an immediate impact, playing a crucial role in Kotoko’s 2-1 victory over Hearts of Oak in the inaugural Democracy Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium. His performance earned him the man-of-the-match award, affirming his potential in the squad.
Speaking about Samba, Ogum expressed his admiration for the player’s attitude and work ethic. “When it comes to foreign-based players, someone like Samba (O’Neil) has been on my radar for a long time.
“I’ve been eager to work with him,” Ogum shared. “There’s one thing I love about him—anytime you engage with him, he says, ‘Coach, don’t worry, I will make you proud.’ He’s always ready to work, very determined, and incredibly confident,” he told the club’s media.
Ogum also highlighted the support he received from Kotoko’s technical director, Kwesi Appiah, in bringing Samba to the club.
“I spoke at length about Samba with my boss, Kwesi Appiah, who is experienced and a senior in the game. I shared Samba’s profile with him, and he quickly agreed that we should sign him without hesitation, trusting in my judgment. Fortunately, Samba has proven himself right from his first game and continues to impress during training,” Ogum added.
Samba’s arrival is expected to strengthen Asante Kotoko’s defense as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Listen to what coach Ogum said about Samba O’Neil below:
