Elmina Sharks midfielder Richard Mpong is proud of his playing days with Asante Kotoko but reveals a regrettable experience with the fans of the Porcupine Warriors.
The experienced midfielder insists he was given a raw deal by fans of the club who tarnished his image in his final days at the club.
“I loved Kotoko. I had passion for the club. My entire family is a Kotoko family so I really wanted to play for them even while I was playing for Medeama,” Mpong revealed in an interview with Footballmadeinghana.com
According to him, despite his selfless effort in helping the club win two league titles and two FA Cup trophies, the fans manufactured stories to tarnish his image forcing him to exit the club.
“… they gave me a bad name, tarnished my image before I left the club and never gave me the opportunity to explain myself. I joined the club with blistering happiness but left with pain and sorrow,” he narrated.
“I was branded the leader of a gang that wanted David Duncan to fail to the extent that a notorious fan of the club who was noted for his close relationship with leadership, Seidu MBA was on radio claiming I took losing bonus from Dr. KK Sarpong to share for the players who were hired during Didi Dramani’s era when Kotoko lost 2-1 to MC El Eulma in the CAF Champions League round of 16.
“I was shocked to the marrow when Opoku Nti spoke to all the players who were alleged to be members of that clique but never spoke to me.
“I felt disrespected and disappointed that the club I helped to win two league titles and two FA Cup trophies could treat me like that,” he added.
Mpong left the club with bitterness after his 3-year stay with the Porcupine Warriors but says he does not regret playing for the Kumasi club.