January 19 – Southampton have signed a partnership with Ghanaian Premier League outfit Asante Kotoko SC, the club becoming the first African partner in the Saints’ international portfolio.
The English club will support the development of Kotoko’s strategy both on and off the pitch.
“Southampton will share their industry-leading coaching expertise to help Asante Kotoko realise their ambition of building a sustainable academy and pathway to the first team, with year-round remote support supplemented by regular visits to Ghana throughout the partnership from the club’s International Football Partnership team,” said Southampton in a statement.
“The partnership will include academy staff exchange visits between the UK and Ghana, as well as opportunities for Asante Kotoko’s young players to attend annual UK player development camps and experience the Southampton academy methodology first-hand, when travel corridors open up and it is safe to travel. Southampton will also support the development of Asante Kotoko’s commercial and operational strategy through collaborating on key projects.”
Kotoko have won a record 23 Ghanaian Premier League titles as well as nine Ghanaian FA Cups, but they have failed to make much of an impact on the continent in recent times. They last progressed from the group stages of the African Champions League in 2003. The club won the competition both in 1970 and 1983.
Asante Kotoko’s CEO Nana Yaw Amponsah said: “This partnership enables us to plug Asante Kotoko into Southampton in such a way that Kotoko functions like Southampton. Kotoko would have everything Southampton has but to a level that reflects our different budgets. I believe that with the expertise and resources available at Southampton, we can tap into this and develop our setup to look and feel professional like Saints.”
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1714072825labto1714072825ofdlr1714072825owedi1714072825sni@o1714072825fni1714072825