Ashia lands in Sudan after swerving Ashgold, Hearts, Kotoko

A dream union between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and prolific striker, Kennedy Ashia, collapsed at the weekend after the player swerved the Porcupine Warriors for Sudanese champions, Al Hilal.

Kotoko appeared to be in the race for the player’s signature ahead of their regional rivals, AshantiGold, and Accra Hearts of Oak, but the Liberty Professionals lad swerved all three suitors for a more lucrative offer tabled by the Sudanese side.

At press time yesterday, the player was said to be going through the final stages of his move ahead of signing a two-year deal with Al Hilal. The new twist comes barely a week after confirming to the Graphic Sports that he was in talks with the Porcupine Warriors who had expressed interest in him.

When the deal is sealed, Ashia would join a growing list of Ghanaians currently plying their trade in the north African country, including the trio of Augustine Okrah, Francis Cofie and Ghandi Kassenu, who feature for Al Merreikh, Yakubu Razak of Al Hilal and former Black Stars coach, Kwasi Appiah, who now handles Al  Khartoum.

Ashia’s departure to Sudan was confirmed to the Graphic Sports yesterday by head coach of Liberty Professionals, George Lamptey, who said the club had offered its full blessing to the player as he seeks greener pastures elsewhere.

“We wish him the best and we would not prevent him from pursuing his dreams elsewhere,” the coach noted.

The 20-year-old had been one of the key performers for the Dansoman-based side, netting 11 times for the club in last season’s First Capital Plus Premier League.

His departure could create a huge vacuum in the club’s attacking machinery, but Lamptey says he is not perturbed about Ashia’s exit but rather concentrating his efforts on building a formidable team for the future.