Top Kotoko defender rejects fresh contract, heavily linked with move to Hearts – Pure FM
Ghana international defender Abdul Ismail Ganiyu has decided against signing a new contract with Asante Kotoko, according to Kumasi-based Pure FM.
Ganiyu, 25 and capped three times by Ghana, will be out of contract by the end of the 2020/21 Ghanaian season.
Due to his impressive performances in the Ghana Premier League, Ganiyu earned a debut call-up for Black Stars’ final games in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Fortunately for him, he featured in both games and gave a positive account of himself as Black Stars sealed qualification to Cameroon.
Ganiyu made his debut in the 1-1 stalemate against South Africa at the FNB Stadium last Thursday. Akonnor, impressed by his performance in Johannesburg, rewarded with another start against Sao Tome and Principe – a match that finished 3-1 in favour of the Black Stars at the Accra Sports stadium.
Kotoko are yet to offer him a fresh deal but management of the club have plans of offering him an improved deal with a 3-year duration.
However Kumasi-based Pure FM have reported the player and his representatives have decided against signing a new contract with the Porcupine Warriors. The reports further revealed that Club Africa Consult, the agency that manages the player, have received a number of offers for the former Karela United defender and would weigh their options to decide where he plays next season.
According to sources close to the player he has told his friends and family he won’t play at Kotoko next season and could switch to Kotoko’s big rivals Hearts of Oak next season.
But, a move to Hearts of Oak would only material if he doesn’t get a foreign offer.
Per the current transfer market dynamics the defender’s age won’t favour a move to Europe. If no offers come from the Middle East or South Africa he would strongly consider playing for Hearts of Oak.
Hearts’s current status as Ghana Premier League champions have enhanced their pedigree. The Phobians make a return to CAF interclub competition for the first time since 2015 as they gear up to make appearance in next season’s CAF Champions League.
The prospects of playing in the continental premier club competition excites the central defender and could end up signing for the 2000 CAF Champions League and Super Cup winners if he doesn’t leave the shores of Ghana for greener pastures.
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Source: Sports
