Asante Kotoko: Sarfo Duku commends board's tough stance after release of four players

Former Asante Kotoko Communications Director Sarfo Duku has commended the club's current board for taking what he described as a courageous decision to release four first-team players, admitting that the previous administration failed to show similar resolve when faced with disciplinary concerns.

Kotoko recently terminated the contracts of striker Kwame Poku, winger Elvis Kyei Baffour, left-back Francis Acquah and goalkeeper Benjamin Twum.

While the club has not publicly explained the reasons behind the departures, Duku suggested that disciplinary issues may have contributed to the decision.

Speaking in an interview, the former communications chief acknowledged that the previous management had encountered similar challenges but did not act decisively.

“Let me admit that it wasn’t the best. I strongly believe that we should have taken some bold decisions to ensure the best of discipline in the team, but at a point, we were not men enough to take those bold decisions, and it also affected the club.

“I am aware of the bold decisions they have taken [parting ways with new players]. It’s something we should have done at a point in time, but because of the way we have been brought up [we couldn’t]."

Duku also reflected on Kotoko's disappointing campaign, saying responsibility for the team's struggles should be shared across the club rather than placed solely on the players.

“We had a terrible season though we started so well. You cannot talk about the playing body without talking about the technical handlers because I think their tactics might not have worked.

“But to the extent that things didn’t work, you cannot put the blame squarely on the players; even management had a part to play. It means we also didn’t recruit the best for the club; we have to admit,” he concluded.

Asante Kotoko will begin their 2026/27 Ghana Premier League campaign under head coach Eric Tinkler with a home fixture against newly promoted Debibi United.