Asante Kotoko S.C.
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| Full name |
Asante Kotoko Sporting Club (Ashanti Twi: Kum Apem a, Apem Beba; English: Kill a thousand, and a thousand more will come) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) |
Porcupines Porcupine Warriors The Great Porcupines of Africa Fantabulous/FABULOUS | |||
| Founded | 31 August 1935 | |||
| Ground |
Kumasi Sports Stadium Kumasi, Ashanti, Ghana | |||
| Capacity | 40,528 | |||
| Owner | Nana Osei Tutu II | |||
| Chairman | Dr Kwame kyei | |||
| Manager | Steven Polack[1] | |||
| League | Ghana Premier League | |||
| 2016 | 5th | |||
| Website | Club website | |||
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Asante Kotoko Sporting Club, also known as Asante Kotoko or Ashanti Kotoko, is a professional football club from Kumasi, Ashanti. Based at Kumasi Sports Stadium they are competing in the Ghanian Premier League. They have been champions of the Ghana Premier League a record 24 times, and have won the CAF Champions League twice.
The International Federation of Football History and Statistics ranked Asante Kotoko the African club of the 20th century.[2]
History
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]
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.[5]
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.[6]
Kits evolution
      1st Colours
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 2nd Colours
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   2nd Alt.
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   3rd Colours
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Emblem
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 "Kill a thousand, and a thousand more will come".[4]
Ground
Asante Kotoko's home stadium is the Kumasi Sports 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.[7] 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.[7] 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.[7] 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.[7]
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 (12,000,000) 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.[8] 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.[8] 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.[8]
Ownership and financing
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Club financing and club endorsements
The owner and life patron of Asante Kotoko SC is the Asantehene, King of the Ashanti Region of Ghana, Osei Tutu II.[10] The US$150 million per annum (per season) Asante Kotoko squad players salary wage bill for 2015 and further additional US$105 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.[11]
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.[12] The 1 ton of Gold bars and Gold (Bullion) is worth $64.3 Million dollars (US$64,300,000) at $2000/oz.[13]
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.[9]
Training facility
Asante Kotoko Adako-Jachie Training Complex
Asante Kotoko training ground and training facilities headquarters, are located in the capital city of the Ashanti nation, Kumasi.[14] 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.[14] 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.[14] 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.[14] 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.[14] 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.[14] 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.[15]
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, and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu.[16]
Honours
National Titles
- 1959, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 2003, 2005, 2007–08, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14 (Record Holder).
- FA Cup: 8
- 1958, 1959, 1960, 1978, 1984, 1997–98, 2001, 2014 (2nd Most Successful Club).
- 2012, 2013, 2014 (Most Successful Club).
Other GFA National Titles
- Ghana SWAG Cup: 12
- 1981, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008 (Record Holder).
- Ghana Telecom Gala: 3
- 1999–00, 2001, 2005 (Record Holder).
- Ghana Top Four Cup: 2
- 2003, 2007 (Record Holder).
- Ghana Annual Republic Day Cup: 3
- 2004, 2005, 2008 (Record Holder).
International Titles
- African Cup of Champions Clubs & CAF Champions League: 2 (7th Most Successful Club)
- Champion – 1970, 1983,
- Runners-up – 1967, 1971, 1973, 1982, 1993
- Runners-up – 2002
- CAF Confederation Cup: 0 (10th Most Successful Club)
- Runners-up – 2004
Performance in CAF competitions
- CAF Champions League: 8 appearances
- African Cup of Champions Clubs: 16 appearances
- CAF Confederation Cup: 2 appearances
- CAF Cup: 2 appearances
- 1995 – Quarter-finals
- 1997 – Second Round
- CAF Cup Winners' Cup: 7 appearances
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| Region | Team |
|---|---|
| Africa |  Asante Kotoko |
| Asia |  Al-Hilal |
| South America |  Peñarol |
| Central and North America |  Saprissa |
| Oceania |  South Melbourne |
| Europe |  Real Madrid |
| CAF | Football Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Al-Ahly |
91 |
| 2 |  Espérance |
58 |
| 3 | Étoile du Sahel |
54 |
| 4 | Zamalek |
50 |
| 5 |  TP Mazembe |
49 |
| 6 | Asante Kotoko |
44 |
Players
Current squad
As of 3 june 2017[17] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Reserve squad & youth squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Former footballers
For details on former Asante Kotoko SC footballers see Category:Asante Kotoko SC players.
Personnel
Current officials and technical staff
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| President and Owner |  King Asantehene Osei Tutu II |
| Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman | Dr kwame kyei |
| Director of Communications | Sir Obed Acheampong |
| Director of Finance & Administration | Charles Kwabena Poku |
| Director of Operations | Mr Ernest Owusu Ansah |
| Director of Legal Affairs | Yaw Boafo |
| Team manager | Godwin Ablordey |
| Assistant coach | |
| Goalkeepers' coach | Joe Baah and Sampson Appiah |
| Fitness coach | |
| Specialist Medical Doctor | Dr.Leat |
| Physical Trainer | Issac Ayeba |
| Masseur | Richard Hammond |
Last updated: January 2014
Source: Kumasi Asante Kotoko Sporting Club official website
Head Coaches
Telat Üzüm (1 October 2006 – 31 March 2007).svg.png)
Maurice Cooreman (1 November 2008 – 10 February 2009)- Herbert Addo (25 June 2009 – 1 April 2010)
Bogdan Korak (5 November 2010 – 26 August 2011)- Maxwell Konadu (2011–12)
- Didi Dramini (2012–14)
- David Duncan (2014–16)
- Micheal Osei (2016)
Zdravko Logarusic (2017)
Steven Polack (May 2017)
References
Notes
- ↑ Kotoko Coach Zdravko Logarusic to instill discipline in players ahead of new season‚ ghanasportsonline.com, 25 January 2017
- ↑ "Africa's club of the Century". IFFHS official website. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "History Asante Kotoko". fifa.com. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Classic club: The great Porcupines of Africa — FIFA.com". fifa.com. FIFA. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- ↑ "Kotoko seal Sunderland partnership agreement". BBC News. BBC Sports. 19 July 2011. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
- ↑ "New kits sponsorship deal in the offing". asantekotokofc.org. 29 March 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 "Kotoko to get Fabulous Arena in mega rlg deal". newsbcc.com. 18 March 2013. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- 1 2 3 "SAFC partnership with Ghana giants". safc.com. Sunderland AFC. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- 1 2 "Singaporean-based sportswear company Kubba proposes sponsorship package to Kotoko". africatopsports.com. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ↑ "Asantehene urges Kotoko to hold congress". allsports.com.gh. 19 July 2013. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ↑ "Introduction – Ashanti Region". ghana.gov.gh. Government of Ghana. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ↑ "World's top 10 gold deposits". mining.com. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ↑ "Gold – Visualized in Bullion Bars". demonocracy.info. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Asante Kotoko project to take off". modernghana.com. 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- ↑ "Players barred from driving to training grounds". asantekotokofc.org. 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- ↑ "Asante Kotoko will be unbeatable in Africa soon". goal.com. Goal.com. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- ↑ "Revealed: Asante Kotoko releases squad numbers for season 2016/2017". rokfmonline.com. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
External links
| Achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ismaily SC |
Champions of Africa 1970–71 |
Succeeded by Canon Yaoundé  |
| Preceded by Al Ahly SC |
Champions of Africa 1983–84 |
Succeeded by Zamalek SC |
| Preceded by Kaizer Chiefs  |
African Cup Winners' Cup Runner up: Asante Kotoko Winner: Wydad Casablanca  2002–03 |
Succeeded by Étoile Sportive du Sahel |
| Preceded by |
CAF Confederation Cup Runner up: Asante Kotoko Winner: Hearts of Oak 2004–05 |
Succeeded by FAR Rabat |
CAF Champions League winners | |
|---|---|
| African Cup of Champions Clubs |
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| CAF Champions League |
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