Former Asante Kotoko captain Samba O’Neil has bid an emotional farewell to his former club fans, Management, technical team and his Majesty Otumfuor Osei Tutu II.
Samba O’Neil featured in 34 matches across all competitions and scored six goals from his central defensive position during his final year at Asante Kotoko. Full statement reads:
“Dear Asante Kotoko Family, Saying goodbye to a place you call home is one of the hardest things to do. As I prepare to open a new chapter in my career with a different club, I am filled with a profound mix of sadness and immense gratitude. Leading this great institution has been the defining honor of my life.
My immense gratitude goes to the overlord of this great kingdom, OTUMFUOR OSEI TUTU II. Your spirit alone was more than a driving force and power for me on the field. I am proud to have led your army to battle. I will forever be grateful having a father and a king as powerful as you are. With utmost respect and modesty Nana Piaw!!!! May your reign and kingdom live long.
To the Board , Management and Technical Team, thank you for placing your absolute trust in me. Handing me the captain’s armband was a statement of faith that I never took lightly.
I appreciate your tireless work behind the scenes and your commitment to upholding the massive legacy of this historic club. Thank you for giving me the platform to grow into the leader I am today.
To my teammates, my brothers in the trenches—thank you. A captain is only as strong as the men standing behind him, and you made leading this team an absolute privilege. We bled for the red jersey together, celebrating our victories and holding each other accountable through our defeats. I will miss the energy in our dressing room, but I know the squad is full of warriors ready to lift the club to greater heights.
To the fans, you are, without a doubt, the heartbeat of this great club. The sheer magnitude of stepping onto the pitch at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to the sound of your roaring voices is an experience that cannot be replicated. Thank you for embracing me, for demanding the absolute best from me as your captain, and for standing by the team through our dark days.
I leave as a better player and a better man, Asante Kotoko has a lifelong fan in me . The spirit of the Porcupine Warrior is forever etched into my DNA. I wish this monumental club nothing but tremendous success, trophies, and glory in the seasons to come. I wish this great club massive success in all its future endeavors. Kum Apem a, Apem Beba!! Captain Gilbani Samba Alexander Ahiable”. He concluded.
Asante Kotoko captain Samba O’Neil left the club in June 2026 after turning down a contract extension. He signed a two-year deal to join South African Premier Soccer League side Sekhukhune United.
