Ahead of departing to Sudan for the preseason friendly against Al Hilal Omdurman and other football clubs there, Kumasi Asante Kotoko announced their new coach on Sunday.
Seydou Zerbo is the first Burkina Faso ascent to join Kumasi Asante Kotoko since the departure of the iconic striker, Songne Yacouba.
The former RC Kadiogo tactician has become the sixth Burkinabè international to join the red army in Ghana; others who have previously worked in Kumasi include Ali Quedrago, Seydou Dagano, Soulama Abdoulaye, Sackho Iddrissa, Helipha Sedogo and Songne Yacouba.
The experienced sports writer of Kotoko, former editor at Kotoko Express tagged his heading on the Burkinabè ascents as “Kotoko’s Romance with Burkinabes”
Four players come to mind while tracing Asante Kotoko’s connection with Burkinabè football athletes or coaches over the past 20 years, Kotoko’s romance with Burkinabè players or coaches extends back to the mid-late 2000s.
In the write-up by the renowned writer, he emphasised that one goalkeeper, one defender, one striker and three midfielders had already had their stint with Kumasi Asante Kotoko, so in contrast, the new coach signed is the first Burkinabè tactician to join the fabulous family.
The first player from Burkina Faso to sign a contract with Kumasi Asante Kotoko is Ali Quedrago, the workaholic midfielder who was around from 2006 after Kotoko lost the maiden CAF Confederation Cup to Hearts of Oak in 2005.
Ali Quedrago participated in a few games but didn’t have an impact on the squad; Jerome Otchere loved him because of his vigour and speed, which allowed him to outrun his opponents consistently.
Seydou Dagano, a defender from Burkina Faso, was unable to obtain a regular spot in the team between 2006 and 2007, a very attractive, fair-conscienced, and well-built centre-back projected the image of a quiet, humble footballer who was frequently injured.
The fans of Kumasi Asante Kotoko were not impressed, so Ali and Dagano left Ghana for Burkina Faso, where they failed to impress in games when they featured in games rather than being regulars at Ridge Park.
Soulama Abdoulaye, the first goalkeeper from Burkina Faso under Sylvester Asare’s management, was Kotoko’s greatest Burkina Faso acquisition in the 2007–2008 season, on the field, the late goalie had a commanding presence, but off the field, he was incredibly kind and sociable.
When he was the first-choice goalie for three straight seasons, Soulama won four league titles and an FA Cup, dishing out premium performances regardless of his nationality, and he bonded well with his teammates.
Sackho Iddrissa joined the Porcupine Warriors but also failed to live up to the bill, his best moment was a league game against Wassaman when he scored away.
Talisman Songne Yacouba then entered the scene, with Dr. Kwame Kyei serving as CEO. During his time in Kumasi, Ghana football was undergoing normalization, therefore he did not play a league for Kotoko.
He participated in Charles Kwabla Akonnor’s team that competed in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage and put up a strong showing, scoring a clever free kick away against Nkana FC.
