Al Masry, a team in the Egyptian Premier League, has confirmed the acquisition of striker Franck Etouga Mbella from Asante Kotoko.
On Sunday, the Cameroonian striker officially signed with the Egyptian team in a deal costing an estimated $400,000.
The 21-year-old was an integral part of Kotoko’s success in the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season, in which they won the championship.
Mbella led the Porcupine Warriors in scoring by a wide margin, with 21 tallies in 30 league games.
Yaw Annor, a forward for Ashanti Gold, scored 22 goals for the Miners past season, almost edging him out for the league’s golden boot.
On Sunday, Al Masry released a statement saying that they had acquired Mbella from Kotoko. He is the club’s seventh acquisition of the summer.
“The Eighth deal of the Green Eagles. Welcome to our Cameroon international striker Frank Etouga, coming from the Ashanti Kotoko club in the Ghanaian city of Kumasi, the stronghold of the Ashanti tribes,” a statement from the Egyptian club said.
Meanwhile, Kotoko head coach Seydou Zerbo believes the club will be able to cope without their lethal forward.
The Porcupine Warriors are set to face Burkinabe side RC Kadiogo in the second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round on Sunday.
Zerbo’s side recorded a slim 1-0 win over Kadiogo in the first leg and will be hoping to finish the job at the Baba Yara Stadium.
“Asante Kotoko is a big club and if Mbella isn’t around, that doesn’t mean the club won’t be there,” the Kotoko coach said ahead of the game against Kadiogo.
“I heard he’s is an important player but I didn’t work with him but I believe those who won in Benin can equally step up for the club,” he added.