Asante Kotoko
Full nameAsante Kotoko Sporting Club
Nickname(s)Porcupine Warriors
Founded31 August 1935 (1935-08-31)
GroundBaba Yara Sports Stadium
Kumasi, Ashanti, Ghana
Capacity40,528
OwnerOtumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II
ChairmanDr. Kwame Kyei
ManagerDr. Prosper Nartey Ogum
LeagueGhana Premier League
2022–234th of 18
WebsiteClub website

Asante Kotoko Sporting Club, simply known as Asante Kotoko, is a professional football club founded on 31 August 1935 and based in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Nicknamed the Porcupine Warriors, they compete in the Ghana Premier League and play their home matches at the Baba Yara Stadium in Amakom, Kumasi.

They have won the league a record 24 times[1] and the CAF Champions League twice and were adjudged the African club of the century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).[2]

History

Asantehene King Prempeh II, is the first life patron of Asante Kotoko greeting Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Harold Macmillan, January 1960

Early years

The foundation of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Sporting Club was laid by 13 young Ashanti men led by a young driver, Mr. Kwasi Kumah, ably supported by L.Y. Asamoah an electrician.[3][4] Mr. Kwasi Kumah, a native of Nyankyerenease near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, was a chauffeur to an English man and military officer, a Colonel Ross.[3][4] Kwasi Kumah nurtured the idea of forming a football team when he watched an exciting football match.[3][4] When Colonel Ross returned home for good, Kumah bought a set of jerseys to start his football team.[3][4] With co-operation from his good friend, L.Y.Asamoah, he formed the Ashanti United Football Club in 1926.[3][4] Five years later the team was renamed Kumasi Titanics.[3][4] The team was really handicapped because most of the players worked in government organizations like the Prisons and Railways and had been transferred from Kumasi.[3][4] "Kumasi Titanics" did not find enough luck in their new name and in 1934 they adopted a more powerful name, Mighty Atoms.[3][4] Still the club did not see much progress and in 1935, Mr J.S.K. Frimpong, popularly called Teacher Frimpong, then a teacher of the Kumasi Government School who had all the time shown interest in the club, organized some men from his school and proposed a change of name from "Kumasi Titanics" to Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club.[3][4] Permission had to be obtained from the Asantehene (King of the Kingdom of Ashanti) because the name "Kotoko", meaning "Porcupine" is the official symbol of the Ashanti nation.[3] The Asantehene, Nana Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, became the first life patron of the club.[3] Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club was subsequently formally founded in 1935.[3][4]

Asante Kotoko's emblem features the "Porcupine", displaying an inbuilt arsenal of sharp spikes for use when attacked by an enemy.[4]

Tragedy

The Accra Sport Stadium disaster occurred at the Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra, Ghana on 9 May 2001. Ghana's most successful football teams played that day, the Accra Hearts of Oak (The Phobians) Sporting Club and the Asante Kotoko. Accra had two late goals and a referee would call 2–1 Accra, resulting in disappointed Kotoko fans throwing plastic seats and bottles onto the pitch. The police responded by firing tear gas into the trapped crowd. Panic and a stampede ensued as fans tried to escape. After the hour-long ordeal, it was found that 117 deaths resulted from compressive asphyxia and 10 fans died from trauma.[5]

In January 2020 the team was banned from the Baba Yara stadium temporarily, after violent reactions by their supporters, which led to one of their fans being hit by a rubber bullet that was fired by the police. The fans were seen in various footages, throwing projectiles onto the pitch, because they were displeased with a decision the referee made. This happened in a match that they played against Berekum Chelsea.[6] A GFA ruling, fined the club 20,000 Ghana cedis and the next three games that they would play in the league would be behind closed doors.[7]

2000s

In July 2011, Asante Kotoko and English Premier League club Sunderland signed a partnership agreement, which will see Sunderland offering practical support and advice in youth coaching, player development, fitness and medical matters as well as football business strategy to Asante Kotoko.[8] In January 2002, P V Obeng was appointed as the board chairman of the Board of Directors of the club.[9]

Colours

The colours of Asante Kotoko depict the colours on both the national flag (ethnic flag) and national emblem of Ashanti with the colours of red, yellow and green used on the Asante Kotoko first (home) kit shirts and shorts while the colours white and red are used on the Asante Kotoko second alternative kit shirts and shorts; and in 2011, Asante Kotoko re-introduced third alternative kit of black, yellow and green colours worn in the late 1980s.[10]

Kits evolution

1st Colours
2nd Colours
2nd Alt.
3rd Colours

Emblem

The porcupine on the National Emblem of the Kingdom of Ashanti; The "Porcupine Warriors" is the Asante Kotoko nickname.

Asante Kotoko's emblem is symbolizes the national emblem of the Kingdom of Ashanti (Kingdom of Asante) and Ashanti with the colours black, green and yellow enclosing the colours on the national flag and ethnic flag of the Kingdom of Asante and Asante Kotoko's emblem [also represents the national emblem of the Ashanti people and the Ashanti nation (who are more like the Catalan people and Catalonia); the Asante Kotoko emblem features a remarkably threatening looking porcupine and the motto "Ashanti Twi: Kum apem a, apem beba", which means "If you kill a thousand, a thousand more will come".[4]

Ground

Kumasi Asante Kotoko SC home ground is the Baba Yara Stadium

Asante Kotoko's home stadium is the Baba Yara Stadium located in the capital city of Ashanti, Kumasi. Champions Asante Kotoko are to get a multi-purpose stadium called the Rlg Fabulous Arena based on a three-year endorsement contract with Rlg Communications.[11] Rlg, became Asante Kotoko's eleventh endorser since Asante Kotoko's executive board chairman Dr K.K Sarpong took office in the middle of 2010.[11] The Asante Kotoko executive board committee reached a perfect agreement with endorser Rlg Communications to build a mega new stadium for Asante Kotoko in a yet-to-be determined location within the capital city of the Ashanti nation, Kumasi.[11] The Asante Kotoko stadium project which by the end of its construction will be named the Rlg Fabulous Arena will likely begin to take course in the final year of the Asante Kotoko and Rlg Communications contract.[11]

Support

Asante Kotoko is the 6th biggest football team and professional club in Continental Africa and arguably the biggest club in Ghana; Asante Kotoko has a speculated ten million (10,000,000) followers and in the year 2011, Asante Kotoko and Sunderland AFC respective club executive Chairmen's engaged in strategic and positive discussions on both clubs collaborating.[12] The Asante Kotoko strategical partnership sees Sunderland of the Premier League sharing its coaching and business expertise with Asante Kotoko, offering practical support and advice in youth coaching, player development, fitness and medical matters and football business strategy.[12] Kotoko in turn works closely with Sunderland AFC to help the Premier League club build and grow its brand in the emerging African territory and geographic Africa.[12]

Ownership

Club financing and club endorsements

The owner and life patron of Asante Kotoko sports club is the Asantehene, King of the Ashantis/ Asantes of Ghana, Osei Tutu II.[13] The GH150 million per annum (per season) Asante Kotoko squad players salary wage bill for 2015 and further additional GH105 million per annum (per season) squad players transfer wage bill for 2015 is financed from the large and industrial mineral rich economy of Ashanti with Ashanti being the 2nd largest producer of theobroma cacao and cocoa in the world as most of the world's cocoa is grown in Ashanti.[14]

Ashanti is a top-10 producer of gold bars and gold bullions in the world as Ashanti is also a major site of the world's gold-mining industry with Ashanti being home to the world's 10th largest producing gold mine on Earth; The Obuasi Gold Mine.[15] The 1 ton of Gold bars and Gold (Bullion) is worth $64.3 Million dollars (US$64,300,000) at $2000/oz.[16]

Asante Kotoko's diverse endorsements portfolio includes technology corporations Interplast, Smart TV, Iei and giant Rlg Communications; financial institution Fidelity Bank; water company Everpure limited, Peppis Pizza limited, and Vit's Noodles limited; telecommunication companies Millicom and MTN Group; mass media company SportsPro Media limited; worldwide major electricity generation and electricity construction incorporation Symbion Power; and Singaporean kit manufacturer Kubba.[17]

Partnerships

In November 2020 a partnership agreement was signed between the club and Hisense Ghana. This made Hisense, an electronics manufacturer, the club's official electronics partner from 2020 until 2023.[18]

Sponsorship

Asante Kotoko Kit Manufacturers
Start End Name
2008 2011 Lotto
2011 2012 Erreà
2012 2014 Puma SE
2014 2018 Singapore Kubba[17]
2019 2020 Strike[19]
2020 Erreà

2023 The Hope Brand (THB)

Training facility

Asante Kotoko Adako-Jachie Training Complex

Ashanti's Kumasi Asante Kotoko Squad Coach (Bus).

Asante Kotoko training ground and training facilities headquarters, are located in the capital city of the Ashanti nation, Kumasi.[20] There is ongoing construction of the "Asante Kotoko Adako-Jachie Training Complex" which when completed in 2015 will consist of three training pitches, one artificial grass pitch, multi-functional sports hall, Olympic-size swimming pool and a 20-bedroom camping facility for Asante Kotoko at Adako Jachie suburb situated on the outskirts of Kumasi.[20] The "Asante Kotoko Adako-Jachie Training Complex"; three training pitches and the 20 bedroom facility will come with a large multi-operational health club and gym, weights for strength training and physical fitness area, a massage unit, dressing rooms, the technical staff's and coaches' office, as well as a conference room with screening facilities and offices for the Asante Kotoko Chief operating officers (Operations Director) and the technical bench.[20]

Whereas one of the training pitches will go to the Asante Kotoko reserve and youth squad; the remaining two other training pitches will be used by the Asante Kotoko professional senior squad.[20] The Asante Kotoko executive board committee revealed that 10 percent of contributions to the Asante Kotoko development project fund would be used to fund the "Asante Kotoko Adako-Jachie Training Complex" and mega training facility.[20] The Asante Kotoko executive board intimated that the Asante Kotoko Owner and Life Patron of Asante Kotoko, Asantehene King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II of the Ashanti nation is to provide both financial and moral support to the "Asante Kotoko Adako-Jachie Training Complex" and mega training facility construction project.[20] The Asante Kotoko squad players are driven from the Asante Kotoko stadium on the Asante Kotoko squad coach (bus) manufactured by Tata Motors of conglomerate Tata Group to the training headquarters of Asante Kotoko.[21]

Situated at the headquarters of Asante Kotoko is also the Youth academy of Asante Kotoko, in which system and program focuses on the Asante Kotoko youth squad players development as footballers. Former products of the Asante Kotoko Youth academy development program and system include Karim Abdul Razak, Tony Yeboah, Isaac Vorsah, Samuel Inkoom, Godwin Antwi.[22], Osei Kof Reverend, Opoku Afriyie Bayie, Opoku Nti, Eric Nii Baah, Prince Anokye, Maxwell Konadu, Prince Opoku Agyemang, Danlad Ibrahim, Ibrahim, etc.

Current squad

Age Nat. Contract Market values
33
Fredrick Asare
Goalkeeper
24 2025 €150k
16
Ibrahim Danlad
Goalkeeper
21 2024 €100k
22
Moise Pouaty
Goalkeeper
27 2024 €50k
15
Henry Ansu
Centre-Back
25 0 €100k
21
Nurudeen Yussif Mohammed
Centre-Back
30 0 €75k
6
Sherif Mohammed
Centre-Back
21 2026 €50k
24
Dawuni Yahaya
Centre-Back
20 €25k
35
John Tedeku
Left-Back
22 2025 €75k
13
Nana Banyin Amoah
Left-Back
22 €50k
2
Augustine Agyapong
Right-Back
19 2025 €125k
20
Issahak Fuseini
Right-Back
21 2026 €25k
27
Samuel Asamoah
Right-Back
23 €25k
4
Sherif Mohammed
Defensive Midfield
22 0 €125k
25
Andrews Ntim
Defensive Midfield
23 2026 €75k
5
Justice Blay
Defensive Midfield
31 2023 €50k
19
Richmond Lamptey
Central Midfield
26 2024 €150k  
11
Enock Morrison
Central Midfield
23 2025 €125k
8
Serge Eric Zeze
Central Midfield
23 €100k
12
Michael Kyei
Central Midfield
24 2026 €75k
23
Yahaya Baba
Attacking Midfield
21 2026 €75k
29
Nicholas Osei Bonsu
Attacking Midfield
22 2025 €75k
17
Shadrack Addo
Attacking Midfield
16 €50k
26
Julius Ofori
Attacking Midfield
24 2026 €50k
36
Rocky Dwamena
Attacking Midfield
20 €50k
14
Isaac Oppong
Left Winger
21 2025 €75k
10
Georges Mfegue
Right Winger
26 2024 €150k
30
Peter Amidu Acquah
Right Winger
17 €75k
9
Stephen Mukwala
Centre-Forward
24 €175k
7
Bernard Somuah
Striker
17 €50k
18
Centre-Forward
Kalo Ouattara
22

|Right Back |- |Prince Adesa |15 | |} |Attacking midfielder |- |Richmond Opoku |16 | |}

As of 12 January, 2024

Honours

Domestic

Other GFA National Titles

  • SWAG Cup: 16[23][24][25][26][27]
    • 1981, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998 (shared), 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008
  • Ghana Telecom Gala: 3
    • 1999–2000, 2001, 2005 (record)
  • Ghana Top Four Cup: 3
    • 2003, 2007 (record)
  • President's Cup: 8
    • 1973, 1984, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2019 (record)
  • GHALCA Special Cup: 3
  • Ghana Top Eight Cup: 3
  • Ghana Top Six Cup: 2
  • Independence Cup: 3
  • June 4 Cup: 1
  • 31 December Revolution Cup: 2

Continental

Contributor: Bright Yeboah Taylor (Ghanaian Sports Historian)

Performance in CAF competitions

1995 – Quarter-finals
1997 – Second Round
2004 Finalist
2008 Group Stage
2019 Group Stage
2020 Playoffs round
CAF Clubs Rankings: Current 21st Century Top 6 – CAF overall ranking of African Clubs
CAF Football Team Points
1 Egypt Al-Ahly 91
2 Tunisia Espérance 58
3 Tunisia Étoile du Sahel 54
4 Egypt Zamalek 50
5 Democratic Republic of the Congo TP Mazembe 49
6 Ghana Asante Kotoko 44

Former footballers

For details on former Asante Kotoko SC footballers see Category:Asante Kotoko S.C. players.

Club captains

Head coaches

Seasons

References

Notes

  1. Sagoe, Kweku (12 September 2013). "Revealed: Asante Kotoko releases squad numbers for season 2016/2017". Rok FM. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
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  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "History Asante Kotoko". FIFA. Archived from the original on 15 July 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Classic club: The great Porcupines of Africa". FIFA. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  5. "Fifteen Years After Africa's Deadliest Stadium Disaster, Not Much Has Changed". Sports. 27 April 2016. Archived from the original on 11 September 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  6. "GFA bans Kotoko from Baba Yara Sports Stadium". Graphic Online. 14 January 2020. Archived from the original on 14 January 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  7. "Kotoko fined GH¢20k, to play 3 home games behind closed doors". Graphic Online. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  8. "Kotoko seal Sunderland partnership agreement". BBC Sport. 19 July 2011. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
  9. "P.V. Obeng chairs Kotoko board". GhanaWeb. 31 January 2002. Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
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  12. 1 2 3 "SAFC partnership with Ghana giants". Sunderland AFC. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  13. "Asantehene urges Kotoko to hold congress". allsports ghana. 19 July 2013. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  14. "Introduction – Ashanti Region". Government of Ghana. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  15. "World's top 10 gold deposits". mining.com. Archived from the original on 24 October 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  16. "Gold – Visualized in Bullion Bars". demonocracy.info. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  17. 1 2 "Singaporean-based sportswear company Kubba proposes sponsorship package to Kotoko". africatopsports.com. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  18. "Asante Kotoko signs partnership agreement with Hisense". Graphic Online. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
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  28. Kesse (27 November 2019). "Ibrahim Sunday of Ghana made football history by becoming the first ever African footballer to appear in the Bundesliga in Germany". Ghanaian Museum. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
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  30. "James Kwesi Appiah | Defender". Asante Kotoko SC. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  31. 1 2 "Jordan Opoku is new Kotoko captain". GhanaSoccernet. 12 August 2010. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
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  34. Graham, Susu (7 October 2021). "GPL: Ismail Ganiyu announced as new Kotoko captain". Citi Sports Online. Archived from the original on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  35. 1 2 "Kotoko announces new club captain". Asante Kotoko SC. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  36. "MR. JUSTICE GEORGE MILLS-ODOI C.o.v (1916 – 1988)". justice-millsodoi memory-of. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
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