Kotoko Lose Mt. Cameroun Captain To Goldfieds

In a classic Real Madrid style a la the snatching of David Beckham from the very jaws of archrivals, Barcelona, Obuasi Goldfields have cunningly snapped Mount Cameroun star, Atem Valentine from the very claws of regional rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

Valentine has signed a contract with the Aboakese and when he arrives soon in Ghana as was reported by Kotoko yesterday, he will not be Kumasi bound. He will trek across the Garden city enroute to Obuasi.

Soccer Express investigations at the Ghana Football Association have confirmed that Goldfields have lodged a contract document signed with Mount Cameroun at the FA.

An FA official confirmed yesterday that all that Goldfields require now is to obtain an International Transfer Certificate for Valentine plus the requisite permits to work and reside in Ghana.

Goldfields' move comes in the wake of highly publicised moves by Kumasi Asante Kotoko to recruit Valentine. The Kumasi club confirmed yesterday that the Camerounian star was on his way to feature for the Porcupine Warriors following a trip to Douala by Interim Management Committee Chairman, Sylvester Asare Owusu.

Asare Owusu reportedly beat Goldfields to a deal, but it can now be confirmed that indeed it was Goldfields Accra Representative, Owuahene Akyeampong who rather clinched a deal having travelled to Cameroun ahead of the Kotoko Chairman.

Valentine endeared himself to fans of Kotoko when his side played Kotoko in an excruciating second leg African Cup Winners 1/8th stage berth at the Kumasi Sports stadium.

Though he and his team mates played some exemplary football, he also showed a temperamental side when he at one time seized the ball for over five minutes insisting that it should be changed before the game continued. The Sierra Leonian referee eventually acceded to his wishes, but that performance did not in anyway dim the admiration most Kotoko faithful, including the IMC Chairman developed for him.