Kotoko want Appiah, Abeyie

Kumasi Asante Kotoko have launched an audacious bid to sign Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah and winger Quincy Owusu Abeyie after bagging ex striker Baffour Gyan.

The Porcupine Warriors say they have agreed a deal to sign Gyan, a former lead striker for the Black Stars on a three-year deal and have now turned their attentions to Appiah who has been without a club since his problems with Fernabache begun two years ago.

Kotoko official Ali Maradona claims the club have already made contact with Fernabache about the Appiah deal.

“We know he is still technically a Fernabache player and have asked that they give him to us on loan,” Ali said. “They have asked us to give them a week so we are waiting. We are convinced this will be good for Appiah and good for us too.”

Appiah has spent his football career in Italy and Turkey since leaving Ghana in 1997 after he emerged at Hearts of Oak.

Despite numerous reports of interest from one club or another, Appiah has yet to join any with a penalty of 2.3million Euro to clear following Fernabache's successful complaint to FIFA that he breached an existing contract.

Quincy Owusu Abeyie has had no experience of playing in Africa but Kotoko believe Kumasi will be a good place to start.

The former Arsenal striker has returned to Spartak Moscow after loan spells and trials at Birmingham City, Cardiff City and Bristol all ended in no permanent deals.

Kotoko's attempt to sign the two players will be a major coup if they are successful but it looks a remote possibility given the profile of the players involved and the pay cheques they are likely to demand.