Jakarta Casual

A Kelantan official has lambasted the decision by some quarters in their Super League team for dropping foreign duo Obinna Nwaneri and Mohammed Ghaddar during the mid-season transfer window in April.

Nwaneri was Kelantan’s pillar of strength in the centre-back position while Ghaddar, though, selfish, was quite a lethal striker.

But Kelantan replaced them with an ineffective Hussein Alaa Magsoosi and former Ghana international Prince Tagoe.

Hussien, who was signed from Bangkok United, has failed to strengthen Kelantan’s back-line while Tagoe is injured.

Tagoe has been complaining of multiple injuries during training and according to team officials, the local strikers are better than him.

None of the team officials wants to take the blame for signing poor quality players. Some key members of the team were not consulted before Nwaneri and Ghaddar were dropped.

“Hussien is nothing like Nwaneri. Tagoe has claimed he got injured during training. The Ghana striker’s condition does not look good,” said the KFA official yesterday.

“I was surprised when Nwaneri and Ghaddar were dropped from the squad in April.

“They were not great but at least they added depth to our game. Instead of signing better players, the team have brought in very weak options.

“Kelantan can forget about winning titles this season.”

Tagoe was an unused substitute in Kelantan 2-2 draw with Felda United in the FA Cup semi-final return leg in Shah Alam on Saturday. Kelantan were ousted from the competition on away goals.
Kelantan coach George Boateng explained that Tagoe did not have the fitness to play on Saturday.
“I pick players based on fitness and their performance in training.

“Tagoe hasn’t been able to train all week due to fitness problems. He has a slight injury. He needs to work harder and improve before I can select him.”

The coach is optimistic Kelantan will achieve their top four target in the Super League and also pose a serious challenge in the Malaysia Cup.

Kelantan are now fifth in the league with 26 points with five matches left.