FC Samartex 1996 midfielder and captain, Emmanuel Keyekeh, has shot down the notion that his time with Kumasi Asante Kotoko SC wasn’t good.

He did this in an interview after winning the 2024 Ghana Football Awards Home-Based Player of the Year Award. He beat Abdul Aziz Issah of Dreams FC and Kotoko’s Steven Mukwala to the award.

Keyekeh excelled in the 2023-2024 season as his brilliant play helped Samartex win the Ghana Premier League title in only the Samreboi based team’s second season competing in the elite division.

The 26 year old player registered five goals and two assists in 32 league games as Samartex booked its place in next season’s CAF Champions League.

Speaking on his time with Kotoko that had him win the league title in the 2021-2022 season, Keyekeh had a different opinion to the widely reported issue.

Emmanuel Keyekeh

“I wouldn’t say my journey with Asante Kotoko wasn’t good. The first season was a whole of injuries but the second season, I had pre-season and a new coach came in and he didn’t give me the much needed attention. You know football is about (getting) playing time, I put in the work and the (Samartex) coaches, the technical team, they also trusted in me and they gave me the opportunity to showcase my talent.”

FC Samartex

2024 Home-Based Footballer of the Year Emmanuel Keyekeh

After winning the league under Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum, Burkinabe trainer Seidu Zerbo took over as head coach leading to the exit of Keyekeh to Samartex. Dr. Ogum returned to Kotoko this season and led the Porcupine Warriors to a sixth place finish.

Kotoko head coach Dr.Prosper Ogum

Keyekeh is reportedly being targeted by a number of African clubs.

Ex-Kotoko Coach Zerbo