Asante Kotoko head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum has expressed his excitement about finally working with Congolese defender Samba Ndongani O'Neil, a player he has admired and wanted to coach for the past three seasons.
Samba, who recently joined the Porcupine Warriors on a two-year deal as a free agent, ended his contract with Rahimo FC in Burkina Faso before making the move to Kotoko.
The Congolese defender made an immediate impact, playing a crucial role in Kotoko's 2-1 victory over Hearts of Oak in the inaugural Democracy Cup last month. His performance in that match earned him the man-of-the-match award.
Ogum couldn't hide his delight at having Samba on his squad, praising the player's work ethic and confidence. "When it comes to foreign-based players, somebody like Samba (O'neil) has been on my radar for a long time. I've been yearning to work with him," Ogum shared. "There's one thing that I love about him—anytime you engage him, he tells you, 'Coach, don't worry, I will make you proud.' He's always ready to work, he's very determined, and very confident."
The Kotoko coach also revealed that he consulted with his boss, Kwesi Appiah, about Samba, and the decision to sign him was made without hesitation. "I spoke at length about him with my boss, Kwesi Appiah, who is experienced and a senior in the game. I shared Samba's profile, and he easily bought into it. We decided to sign him straight away without even looking at him because he also trusts in my judgment. Fortunately, Samba's first game was a success, and he's continuing to impress at the training grounds."
Samba Ndongani O'neil, a centre-back, made 29 appearances in the Burkinabe top-flight last season, scoring once and providing four assists. Before joining Rahimo FC in 2021, he had stints with Nigerien clubs AS Douanes and Sahel SC.
His addition to Kotoko's defense is expected to significantly bolster the team's backline as they prepare for the upcoming season.
