Squad overhaul for Africa: Gold Stars, Kotoko on transfer rampage
their proud past and chase continental glory. For Gold Stars, the stakes are even higher as they gear up for their debut appearance in the CAF Champions League, fresh off their historic Ghana Premier League title triumph.
With the memory of FC Samartex’s spirited but short-lived campaign in the 2024/25 season still fresh, Gold Stars are out to show they’re not just in it to make up the numbers.
Transfer blitz
Both clubs have dived headfirst into the transfer market, signalling their intent with decisive squad overhauls.
Kotoko have added serious depth and quality to their squad with the acquisitions of goalkeeper Aziz Haruna Dari, defenders Zackaria Fuseini and Johnson Oppong Owusu, as well as midfielders Francis Acquah and Hubert Gyau.
These signings are seen as key to bolstering a side that has lacked consistency in recent campaigns.
Speaking after his unveiling, new shot-stopper Dari described the move as “a big opportunity,” vowing to make the Kotoko faithful proud with solid performances between the sticks.
Gold Stars, meanwhile, have pulled off some eye-catching deals of their own. coach Frimpong Manso has landed goalkeeper Emmanuel Kobi, roped in Emmanuel Agyenim Boateng from Tanzanian side Pamba Jiji FC, and snapped up Edward Agyemang, Emmanuel Kontor, and Berimah Baah from Nations FC—all with an eye on building a competitive squad capable of thriving in the Champions League cauldron.
Early tests
Kotoko’s preparations have been further boosted by an invitation to compete in the 2025 Toyota Cup in South Africa, where they will lock horns with Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, July 26 at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
The high-profile friendly will serve as a vital test of the Porcupine Warriors’ readiness for the continental grind and offer Coach Abdul-Karim Zito the chance to fine-tune his side against formidable opposition.
With expectations rising, the early groundwork being laid by both clubs could prove crucial once the real battles begin.
CAF timeline
CAF has rolled out its player registration roadmap for the 2025/26 interclub competitions, with the main registration window opening on August 1 and closing on August 31. Clubs are permitted to register up to 40 players, along with nine team officials, with 11 starters and nine substitutes per match.
The five-substitute rule remains in force. Two additional registration periods have been confirmed—September 1 to 30 for teams advancing beyond the preliminaries, and October 1–31 for clubs reaching the group stage or knockout rounds.
The first preliminary round legs are scheduled between September 19–21 (first leg) and September 26–28 (second leg).
The finals of both the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup are expected between May 8 and May 24, 2026.
Notably, CAF has maintained its scrapping of the second preliminary round of the Confederation Cup, meaning clubs eliminated from the Champions League no longer drop into the second-tier competition—a move designed to raise the stakes and ensure only the best survive.
For Kotoko, this will be their seventh appearance in the Confederation Cup, with their best finish coming in 2004 when they were runners-up to arch-rivals Hearts of Oak in an all-Ghanaian final.
The hunger to return to those dizzying heights is evident.
Gold Stars, on the other hand, are stepping into uncharted territory. But with a strong squad and early momentum, they’ll fancy their chances of writing their own chapter in Ghanaian football history.
