We were not bold enough to make disciplinary decisions – Former Kotoko Communications Director Sarfo Duku

By Jamaldeen Wiayuka August 6, 2026

Former Asante Kotoko Communications Director Sarfo Duku has admitted that the club’s previous administration failed to make difficult disciplinary decisions, praising the current board for what he described as its bold approach to restoring discipline within the squad.

His comments come after Asante Kotoko terminated the contracts of striker Kwame Poku, winger Elvis Kyei Baffour, left-back Francis Acquah and goalkeeper Benjamin Twum ahead of the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season.

The club has not officially disclosed the reasons behind the departures. However, Duku suggested that disciplinary issues may have influenced the decision, describing the move as one the previous leadership should have taken.

“Let me admit that it wasn’t the best. I strongly believe we should have taken some bold decisions to ensure the best level of discipline within the team, but at a point we were not bold enough to make those decisions, and it affected the club,” he said.

Duku acknowledged that the current management has shown the resolve his administration lacked.

“I am aware of the bold decisions they have taken. It’s something we should have done at a point in time, but because of the way we had been brought up, we couldn’t,” he added.

Reflecting on Kotoko’s disappointing campaign last season, Duku said the club’s struggles were the result of collective shortcomings rather than the players alone.

“We had a terrible season, although we started so well. You cannot talk about the playing body without talking about the technical handlers because I think their tactics might not have worked,” he said.

He also admitted that management must accept responsibility for its recruitment decisions.

“But to the extent that things didn’t work, you cannot put the blame squarely on the players. Management also had a part to play. It means we also didn’t recruit the best for the club, and we have to admit that,” Duku stated.

Asante Kotoko, now led by South African head coach Eric Tinkler, are preparing for the new Ghana Premier League season and will begin their 2026/27 campaign at home against newly promoted Debibi United.

Duku’s remarks offer a rare public acknowledgement from a former club official that internal leadership decisions contributed to Kotoko’s recent struggles, while highlighting what he believes is a new willingness by the current administration to make difficult decisions in pursuit of higher standards.