With Richard Boadu’s departure, the club is without its reliable defensive midfielder. Blay and Sheriff, while serviceable, are box-to-box all-action midfielders being shoehorned into a defensive role.
Losing Boadu without bringing in a replacement is risky as it will upset the balance of the playing XI and subject the defence to being exposed by opposition attackers. A quality number six who cannot just stop opposition attacks in its tracks but also win the ball back would trigger the Kotoko counter offensive, bringing all the forward players into play with great effect.
In order to execute their best attacking setup, a defensive midfielder becomes necessary. The Porcupine Warriors cannot just sign any player but will need someone who can go straight into the playing XI and make the position his own. Boadu was a game changing addition to Kotoko when he arrived from Medeama in 2021 and it is now time for Ogum and co. to repeat the trick.
Here are five defensive midfielders the Porcupine Warriors can target as they embark on the new era.
Seidu Yussif Dauda (Samartex)
Dauda is a truly terrifying ball winner - probably the best on this list - and has an insatiable appetite for running. On his day, he's one of the best around and is one of those players that opposition players hate to come up against. Be it turning over play, instigating quick counter-attacks, or spraying raking passes across the field, Dauda can do it all - and is never afraid to put his foot in where it hurts. Every team needs its engine room. Dauda is all of Samartex.
Mohammed Sadat (Free Agent)
Tireless work off the ball is essential in Baba Nuhu Mallam’s system, with Sadat acting as the hounding, disrupting midfielder who gives opponents nightmares whenever they receive possession. His all-round ability has improved this season, be it carrying the ball through the thirds with bull-like power, or finding his strikers with long, accurate balls.
The intelligent midfielder can do pretty much everything: pass long, pass short, shoot from way out, shoot from close in, he is strong, can keep the ball, and has vision.
Francis Twene (Bechem United)
With versatility in abundance due to the various roles he's played in his previous clubs, all that experience has weaved together to form the perfect package; the perfect amalgamation of mental, technical and physical attributes. Able to control the tempo of matches, dig his heels in and defend when required, but also provide the eye-of-the-needle pass forward that starts (or finishes) an attack.
Twene’s nimble frame perhaps lures opponents into a false sense of security; the truth is he was one of the most combative and tireless midfielders you are likely to see in the Ghanaian topflight.
Abdul Latif (King Faisal)
Abdul Latif is a paradox of a player – a beefcake who rarely throws his weight around. Instead, he relies on intelligent reading of the game, two excellent feet and a sumptuous range of passing to keep opponents on the back foot. He has the turn of pace to beat the press and rarely misplays a pass. The piece of the puzzle which brings the whole thing together.
He is the heartbeat of the King Faisal side – the leader in midfield who ensures a team of stars stays humble and competitive against weaker opponents.
Michel Otou (Free Agent)
His selfless attitude and ability to move around the pitch have seen him become one of the most sought-after defensive midfielders in the league. His ability to disrupt the play and launch attacks became a feature of the Legon Cities side.
He is very intelligent and is able to diversify how he uses it: whether it be a simple pass, a dribble into space or the whipped passes out wide that made him such a regular supplier to the Legon Cities attack.
He ended the 202/23 season as his side’s top scorer with 7 goals and the player with the most MVPs (6).
