Lions Arrow-Head For Etoile Du Sahel

Kpando Heart of Lions have hit a $1 million (almost ¢1 billion) jackpot following the transfer of their prized striker, Sadat Bukari, to Tunisian giants, Etoile Sportive du Sahel (ESS) for a three-year contract.

The lucrative deal is expected to be sealed in Tunis on Friday after successful negotiations between officials of the two clubs in Accra last week.

Sadat heads for North Africa alongside former Hearts of Oak striker, Louis Agyemang, whose one-year transfer move will fetch Kaiser Chiefs of South Africa $200,000.

The two players are scheduled to leave for Tunisia today for a medical test in the company of their local agent, Abdulsanni Rahaman, a.k.a Sanni Polo, and the Vice President of Etoile, Dr Krifa, who represented the Tunisian club in the negotiations.

A close source told the Graphic Sports yesterday that though French Division One side, Nantes, are ready to part with a whopping 1 million euros for the services of Sadat for a five-year period, the Tunisians seem to have the upperhand.

“In view of the latest negotiation, the Nantes deal struck by former Camerounian star, Patrick Mboma, on behalf of popular FIFA Agency, IMG, has been put on hold,” it stressed.

The source said, despite the fact that the Nantes deal appeared to be more attractive for both the player and Heart of Lions, President Victor Ahiakpor had agreed to release his jewel to the Tunisian champions since the CAF Champions League could offer him a good platform to display his talent to the rest of the world.

All things being equal, the Ghanaian striking duo of Sadat and Agyemang would feature for Etoile in their crucial Group A Champions League opener against AS FAR of Morocco in Rabat on June 23.

Sadat, who missed a better part of the just-ended Onetouch Premier League following a stint with Israeli side, Beitar Jerusalem, managed to score four out of his side's total 40 goals which earned it the top scoring club award.

The Black Meteors striker is remembered for hitting a hat-trick against Hasaacas in Lions' 4-2 away triumph at the Sekondi Gyandu Park.

The source also revealed that Etoile officials held discussions with Ashantigold over the transfer of Black Starlets striker, Sadick Adams.

According to the source, Sadick is due to undergo a medical test in Tunisia on June 25 on his return from South Korea with the Starlets.

Story: Samuel Ebo Kwaitoo