Former Asante Kotoko player Kwadwo Poku aka Mahala has accused Baffour Gyan of ruining his friendship with Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan.
Mahala said his close friendship with Gyan ended after he had a misunderstanding with the former Sunderland striker's senior brother Baffour during their time at Asante Kotoko.
“Asamoah Gyan was my close friend, a very close friend. He knows I won’t lie if he watches this interview. I remember at U-23, we played a match with Liberty at Liberty Park. He brought his father and told him ‘Dad this is my friend, he is called Mahala’. So I told him ‘for you to bring your dad to watch me means you like me', so we used to talk. Because we were the youngest at Ghana U-23 and even at the Black Stars so he was my closest friend,” he narrated on Zion Felix TV.
"Some issues popped up at Kotoko where I got angry at the coaches. His brother was involved and don’t know what he (Baffour Gyan) told him (Asamoah Gyan). One day I visited the national team camp while I was injured. I called him with a term used for ourselves but he didn’t really respond...I have never talked to him since that day."
He further revealed what happened between him and Baffour, saying the latter was selected to play ahead of him in the match against the Heart of the Lions, even though he hadn't trained for several days.
Mahala said he complained to the Kotoko board, which led to the firing of coach Ebo Mends. Baffour threatened to beat him, but the fight didn't materialize as the former refused to show up and do what he claimed.
Kwadwo Poku has two spells with Asante Kotoko. He came through the ranks at Kotoko, playing for the youth team gaining promotion in 2002 and left after one season. He returned in 2007 but parted ways again five years later.
And Baffour Gyan only played for Kotoko for one season, 2010-2011.
Both played for the Black Stars team. Poku scored 2 goals in 9 appearances, while Baffour scored 4 goals in 24 appearances.