Former Ghana Black Stars and Hearts of Oak player, Bernard Dong Bortey, has made a shocking revelation about why he refused to play for Asante Kotoko SC despite signing a contract with them.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Oyerepa TV’s Sports Heroes show, hosted by Otuo Acheampong, Bortey disclosed that Hearts of Oak, in collaboration with his family, convinced him to change his mind.
Kotoko’s Lucrative Offer
Dada Dong Bortey recounted how Kotoko executives, including Mr. Herbert Mensah, Patrick Adjitey, Kwame Amoah Bosompim, and George Amoako, visited his residence to persuade him to join the club.
“Kotoko executives, Mr Herbert Mensah, Patrick Adjitey, Kwame Amoah Bosompim, and George Amoako came to my residence and asked me to play for them…..”
“I signed a lucrative contract with Kotoko at Nungua. They gave me $5,000, a mobile phone, and a car (Opel Omega),” he revealed.
Hearts of Oak’s Intervention
However, Hearts of Oak executives devised a strategy to lure him back. According to Bortey, his family, particularly his mother, played a significant role in changing his decision.
“Hearts executives, in collaboration with my family, called me back to Accra for my firstborn’s naming ceremony. When I arrived, I didn’t even get home before Hearts officials, accompanied by soldiers, picked me up and took me to their camp,” he said.
“At the camp, E.T. Mensah and Harry Zakour pressured me to sign a new contract. By then, my club GAPOHA had already handed my player card to Hearts, so I had no choice despite having signed for Kotoko.”
The Motorola Flip Phone Influence
Bortey further disclosed that while he was initially willing to play for Kotoko, Hearts of Oak Executive, Harry Zakour’s gesture of gifting him a Beautiful Motorola flip mobile phone played a key role in his final decision.
“I wanted to play for Kotoko, but my family, friends, and Accra chiefs pleaded with me to return home. Hearts of Oak gave me less money than Kotoko, but Harry Zakour gave me a Motorola flip mobile phone. To a great extent, that phone influenced my decision because it was more beautiful than what Kotoko’s Herbert Mensah had given me,” he admitted.
“I was young at the time,” Bortey added.
This revelation brings clarity to the long-standing controversy surrounding claims that Dong Bortey knowingly accepted money from Kotoko despite having no intention of playing for the Porcupine Warriors.
“Contrary to what people say, that I took Kotoko money away, whatever Kotoko gave me, I refunded it back.” The Former Hearts of Oak Attacker stipulated.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com/ Joseph Marfo
