Asante Kotoko risk losing captain Samba O’Neil amid contract uncertainty

Asante Kotoko could be set to lose club captain Samba O’Neil as negotiations over a new contract continue to stall. The Congolese defender’s current deal expires at the end of the season, with interest reported from clubs in Libya, South Africa, and Tanzania.

It is understood that O’Neil is reluctant to commit to an extension despite Kotoko’s efforts to keep him. Speaking to Luv FM, Kotoko’s Communications Director, Sarfo Duku, admitted that discussions have dragged on for some time.

“We sent a new proposal to Samba and his team, and we await their response,” Duku said. “Looking at how long it has taken, because we started this conversation almost a year ago, it appears to us that it is becoming difficult for the player to renew his contract.

“But we keep pressing with the hope that he will have a change of mind because he feels that he would want to continue somewhere.” O’Neil has been a key figure for the Porcupine Warriors this season, making 19 appearances and scoring three goals. He played an important role in Kotoko’s recent successes, helping the club secure four titles under head coach Karim Zito.

Zito has previously described the centre-back as “exceptional” and expressed interest in seeing him switch nationality, underlining the defender’s importance to the club.

Source: GhanaWeb