Nana Yaw Amponsah did not fail at Kotoko – Sarfo Duku

Samuel Sarfo Duku, the former Administrative Manager and Head of Legal Affairs of Asante Kotoko, defends Nana Yaw Amponsah, the club’s previous CEO, stating that he did his best during his tenure and refuting claims of failure.

According to Duku, the dissolution of the 12-member Board was primarily due to divisions between the management team and the Board of Directors, rather than any shortcomings on Nana Yaw’s part.

During an interview with Citi Sports on July 26, Duku analyzed Nana Yaw’s performance and expressed that the management team, under Nana Yaw’s leadership, did not fare badly at all.

While acknowledging that the fans had high expectations when Nana Yaw took over as CEO in August 2020, Duku emphasized that Nana Yaw had indeed made valuable contributions to the club and led them to their first league title in eight years during the 2021/2022 season.

“Before we can make a definite conclusion, we would have to analyze the terms of reference vis a vis what he was able to achieve.

“Generally, if you look at the performance of the team, I don’t think they fared badly at all.”

“With the divisions between the management team and the Board, which led to the dissolution of the Board, I would say he did not perform up to people’s expectations.”

“Before he [Nana Yaw Amponsah] came, the expectations of the fans were so high. But I think he has done his part. Others are saying that he would have performed better if he were to be given another chance, but the issues were such that Otumfuo thought otherwise.”

“So I won’t say he is a failure, I would say he did not perform to people’s expectations.”

Under Nana Yaw’s administration, Asante Kotoko worked with four different coaches, including Maxwell Konadu, Mariano Barreto, Prosper Narteh Ogum (who guided the team to their 24th premier league title), and Seydou Zerbo.

A month ago, the life patron of the club, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, dissolved the 12-member Board of Directors led by Dr. Kwame Kyei following the expiration of their term of office. In its place, a four-member Interim Management Committee (IMC) was appointed to oversee the club’s affairs, comprising Nana Apinkra Awua, James Kwesi Appiah, Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum, and Emmanuel Newton Dasoberi.