Former Ghanaian forward Augustine Arhinful has voiced concerns about the fitness levels and recruitment strategy of some players in the current Asante Kotoko squad.

Despite a recent improvement in performance, Arhinful believes that several players in the Asante Kotoko setup are not up to the standard required to represent the club effectively.

He expressed his views in an interview with LUV FM, highlighting the importance of maintaining high standards at a prestigious club like Asante Kotoko.

Arhinful raised questions about the origins of some players in the squad, suggesting that recruiting players from lower divisions, such as the Second Division, may not be conducive to achieving the club's goals.

He emphasized the significance of thorough background checks on players before their recruitment, noting that not every player who excels at lower-tier clubs can necessarily succeed at a club like Asante Kotoko.

"Yes, of course. I can say that some players within the current Asante Kotoko setup are not supposed to be there. I can say that as a technical person.

Because Kotoko is Kotoko, and from what I’ve seen some of the players do not deserve to play for the club," he stated in an interview with LUV FM.

“When I did some background checks on the players I realised some are second division players because you see a player and you ask where he is coming from.

Which team did he play for before joining Kotoko? And you do the checks and you realize he was playing for either a first-division or second-division somewhere.

“But this is Asante Kotoko we are talking about, and let’s not forget that not every good player that you see at maybe Bechem or other places can come to Kotoko and be successful."

Arhinful's comments reflect broader concerns about the fitness and recruitment practices of Ghanaian clubs, particularly those with a rich history and tradition like Asante Kotoko.

As the club seeks to maintain its status as one of the country's top teams, addressing these issues will be crucial for sustained success in domestic and continental competitions.