Asante Kotoko head coach Abdul Karim Zito has stated that bolstering the defensive midfield was a primary priority for the club following the purchase of Prince Badu, as the Kumasi-based giants seek to consolidate and improve their position in the Ghana Premier League.
Kotoko formally announced Badu's signing on Wednesday, announcing that the midfielder has signed a three-year contract after joining from fellow Premier League team Nations FC.
The signing is part of Kotoko's mid-season efforts to address critical squad issues identified by the technical team.
According to Zito, the lack of depth in defensive midfield motivated the club's decision to move quickly for Badu.
"We believed it was critical to reinforce the defensive midfield area. We currently have only one genuine defensive midfielder, and we must carefully control Lawson Manu's minutes because he is still a young player," he remarked.
Badu is anticipated to give stability and competitiveness in midfield as Kotoko strives to maintain its position in the top three and create a stronger challenge as the season goes on.
The midfielder impressed during the league's opening round, scoring once for Nations FC.
Also Read:
The Gabonese government banned Aubameyang in an unprecedented intervention.
Gabon's government has permanently banned Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, arguably the country's finest footballer, from playing for the national side.
The dramatic action was part of a broad government response to Gabon's winless exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The acting Minister of Sports, Dr. Simplice-DĂ©sire Mamboula, announced the decision on national television, stating that the government has dissolved the national team's entire technical staff, suspended all team activities indefinitely, and excluded both Aubameyang and veteran defender Bruno Ecuele Manga from future selection.
The government criticized the Panthers' "disgraceful performance," as they placed last in their group after losing all three games. The declaration came just hours after the team's last, heartbreaking defeat—a 3-2 setback to reigning champions Ivory Coast despite leading 2-0.
The punishment ends the international career of Aubameyang, Gabon's all-time leading scorer and captain. The 36-year-old striker had left the tournament camp early due to a thigh injury and was not on the field for the final collapse. He was widely expected to retire from international duty following the tournament, but the government's order preempted any personal farewell.
The move is a blatant example of political influence in sport, in contravention of FIFA and CAF laws that expressly ban government engagement in national football federations.
Such measures have usually resulted in immediate suspensions for other member countries. As of now, global and continental football authorities have not made a formal reaction, but the prospect of sanctions lingers over Gabonese football.
The future of the national team is presently uncertain. Gabonese football faces an unclear and volatile future, with the squad suspended, its staff sacked, and its legendary leader banned by political edict, marking one of the most dramatic government interventions in the sport in recent decades.