AL AIN, a premier side of United Arab Emirates, has secured the services of Ashantigold?s utility player, Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour.

Even though the details of the contract, are yet to be made public, reliable information has it that, the utility player was poached on a $30,000 sign-on fee, reports Isaac Franklin.

Al Ain snatched the player, alongside his teammate, Shaibu Yakubu. Osei-Kuffour?s dazzling exploits in the Premiership attracted a number of offers from top local clubs, especially Asante Kotoko, but Ashantigold?s chief executive officer (CEO), Mr. Kudjoe Fianoo, shut all doors on the interested clubs.

Mr. Fianoo?s intentions stemmed from the fact that Ashantigold badly needed Osei-Kuffour?s services, and he stressed, the utility player was priceless. Osei-Kuffour, a former Hearts of Oak forward was stopped short of annexing the top scorer?s award by his former teammate, Prince Tagoe, who finished the season with 18 goals.

The Ashantigold player emerged runner-up in the 2005 Premiership?s goal-king race.

Osei-Kuffour, the immediate past skipper of Ghana?s Black Stars notched up 13 goals in the 2005 gt Premiership, after having entered the league, mid-way. His canniness in goal scoring swayed a number of soccer pundits to bank hopes on him to fill the bolster the apparent ineffectiveness of the left-wing of the Stars.

Most soccer fans and analysts beam with buoyancy that, the experienced free-scoring player would be of immense help for the Stars? busy schedule, ahead. Osei-Kuffour was an integral part of the Black Stars? set up, which reached the quarter-final stage, in the 2000 African Cup of Nations, as well as the 2002 Nations Cup, in Mali. Pristine Chap For Kotoko CEO Post

AFTER A lengthy and winding search for a vibrant chief executive officer (CEO), the Board of Asante Kotoko is expected to appoint a pristine chap for the vacant post, on February 3, 2006, reports Isaac Franklin.

The likes of Messrs Kojo Bonsu, Sylvester Asare Owusu, George Amoako, as well as Jerry Asare, have submitted their applications to vie for the vacant post. However, the net has been cast wider, for other interested loyal members to join the race, not later than January 30, 2006.

Impeccable sources close to the Board hinted Guide Sports that, a true member of the club, who is financially-sound, and has the requisite managerial skills, would get the nod.

Aside the preceding qualities required of the new CEO, he is expected to possess the requisite administrative expertise, as well as a solid educational background.

Ironically, the club is bent on shying away from the scheme of depending on beneficiaries, who are appointed to take charge of Kotoko. Kotoko board, in the meantime, is feverishly scrutinising the noted Kotoko members, so as to settle on a loyal member of the club, who must, or resides in Kumasi.

The yet-to-be-named CEO would take charge of Kotoko, and would work alongside the existing IMT.

The motive is to ensure a smooth transition, which would prevent a recurrence of the past bitterness between successors and predecessors Even, before the Kotoko Board unveils the new CEO, it would submit its nominee to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for the final decision to be taken.