EXCLUSIVE: Kotoko likely to miss this key player for crucial CAF Champions League opener Kadiogo

Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko are likely to be without influential Cameroonian forward Franck Mbella Etouga for the CAF Champions League opener against Burkina Faso outfit Rail Club du Kadiogo.

Mbella, who turns 21 later this month, wasn’t able to travel with the Kotoko contingent to Sudan for the pre-season campaign which lasted close to 2 weeks.

Kotoko face Kadiogo on Friday, September 9, 2022 at the Stade de Yamoussoukro in Yamoussoukro – the de jure capital of the Ivory Coast.

According to Ghana Sports Online sources close to the Porcupine Warriors Mbella is unlikely to recover in time to make the cross-border journey to the Ivory Coast for the clash against the Burkina Faso Ligue 1 side.

Kotoko new coach Seydou Zerbo will not be able to count on the striker for the game as he plays his maiden competitive games against familiar faces from his native Burkina Faso.

Mbella scored 21 Ghana Premier League goals in 30 games in the 2021/22 league season for Kotoko and his availability would have been very crucial for the 24-time Ghanaian champions who are making a return to African football.