James Kwesi Appiah, a member of Asante Kotoko’s Interim Management Committee, has provided insight into the termination of Fatawu Safiu’s contract, citing a ligament injury as the pivotal factor.
Safiu’s contract was abruptly terminated approximately one month after his return to the Porcupine Warriors for a second stint.
Appiah disclosed to Ghanasportspage.com that the decision was prompted by the revelation that Safiu had misrepresented the seriousness of his injury to the club.
Medical assessments indicated that Safiu required surgery for his injury, which would sideline him for an extended period, possibly up to a year.
“If he had been honest with me that he has an injury and can’t play straight away, I would have let the coach know. So that we all will be aware. But you told us you can play and that you have no issues,” Appiah conveyed to Ghanasportspage.com.
He further explained, “So the boys returned from a two-week break, and he joined them to train. While they were training, Ohene Brenya (team manager) noticed that he was limping, so he was told to stop training.”
Highlighting the standard protocol, Appiah mentioned that every player undergoes a medical checkup before signing. Safiu’s medical reports revealed a ligament tear in his knee, necessitating surgery, as confirmed by multiple doctors, including a Black Stars physician.
“Normally, every player needs to do a medical checkup before signing. So we had to let him do his medical. After the first medicals, the doctors said he had a ligament tear in his knee. He was taken to another doctor who also said his ligament would need surgery.
“We sent the report to one Black Stars doctor who said his injury would require surgery and he would be fit after a year.
“In light of this, we decided to terminate the contract because he didn’t disclose the truth,” Appiah concluded.
