Former Barcelona forward Memphis Depay has expressed disappointment after visiting Asante Kotoko’s training session on Boxing Day and observing the substandard condition of the pitch used by the players.
Depay, a Dutch international with Ghanaian heritage, was visibly taken aback by the state of the playing surface, which he deemed unsuitable for professional football. Speaking candidly to the team, he acknowledged their resilience despite the challenging conditions and promised to help improve the situation.
“You guys train on these types of pitches, I respect that. It’s not easy. The ball bounces too much, so it takes more time to control,” Depay noted.
“But how can we resolve it? I’m brainstorming with everyone behind the scenes now that I’ve shown my face here, and I’ll do my best to help make things change,” he added.
This visit marks another chapter in Depay’s connection with Asante Kotoko, having previously visited the club’s owner, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, during an earlier trip to Ghana.
On a brighter note, Depay revealed plans to organize a friendly match between his current club, Brazilian side Corinthians, and Asante Kotoko. Though he did not provide specific details, he shared his enthusiasm for making the idea a reality.
“I am trying to arrange something for the team to maybe play a friendly game against my team in Brazil, Corinthians. I’ll discuss it with the coach. It’s in the plan,” Depay said.
