James Agyekum Kotei (born 10 August 1993) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Super League Kerala club Calicut FC.

James Kotei
Kotei with Simba in 2016
Personal information
Full name James Agyekum Kotei
Date of birth (1993-08-10) 10 August 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth Accra, Ghana
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
Calicut FC
Youth career
2002–2007 Corner Babies
2007–2009 Golden Foot Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2014 Liberty Professionals 65 (3)
2014–2015BA Stars (loan) 25 (1)
2015–2016 Al-Orouba 8 (0)
2016–2019 Simba 75 (1)
2019 Kaizer Chiefs 0 (0)
2020 Slavia Mozyr 0 (0)
2021–2022 Sohar
2022–2024 Mtibwa Sugar
2024 Ittihad Shorta
2024– Calicut FC 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Early career

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Born and raised in Accra, Ghana. Kotei began his footballing career with Kumasi-based Corner Babies F.C. in 2002 when he was 9 years old.[1] In 2007, he moved to Golden Foot Academy where he played as an academy player for the renowned Accra-based football academy until 2009.

Ghana

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Kotei began his professional footballing career in 2010 with Dansoman-based club, Liberty Professionals F.C.[2]

Oman

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He first left Ghana in 2015, joining Oman Professional League club Al-Oruba SC.[3] He made his debut for the club on 8 September 2015 in a 1–1 draw against Muscat Club in the 2015–16 Oman Professional League Cup. He made his league debut on 13 September 2015 in a 3–1 win over newly promoted side, Salalah SC.[4] He also made his debut in the Sultan Qaboos Cup on 30 December 2015 in a 2–1 win over fierce rivals, Sur SC.[5] He finished with 8 appearances in the 2015–16 Oman Professional League.

Tanzania

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In December 2016, he moved out to Tanzania where on 13 December he signed a one-year contract with Tanzanian giants, Simba S.C.[6] He made his Tanzanian Premier League debut on 18 December 2016 in a 2–0 win over Ndanda F.C. He made his CAF Confederation Cup debut on 11 February 2018 against Nationale De Djibouti [7][8] He was adjudged the most valuable player in his side's 5–4 penalty win over rivals Young Africans S.C. in the Semi-finals of the Mapinduzi Cup of Tanzania on 10 January.[9][10]

Kaizer Chiefs

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In June 2019, Kotei signed for South African Premier Division side Kaizer Chiefs on a three-year contract.[11] He was released by the club in January 2020, having failed to make an appearance for the club.[12]

Slavia Mozyr

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He signed for Belarusian club Slavia Mozyr in January 2020,[12] before his contract was terminated in June 2020.[13]

Style of play

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Kotei plays as a defensive midfielder.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "New Kaizer Chiefs signing James Kotei wants to help Amakhosi end their trophy drought". Kick Off. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Liberty Professionals FC – Season Preview". westafricanfootball.com.
  3. ^ "العروبة يتعاقد مع الغاني جيمس". azamn.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  4. ^ "Salalah vs. Al Oruba 1–3". Soccerway.
  5. ^ "Sur vs. Al Oruba 1–2". Soccerway.
  6. ^ "Ghanaian midfielder James Kotei joins Tanzanian side Simba". kickgh.com.
  7. ^ "Ndanda vs. Simba 0–2". Soccerway.
  8. ^ "Ghanaian duo Daniel Agyei and James Kotei were in action for Simba SC on Monday". kickgh.com.
  9. ^ "Ghanaian midfielder James Kotei wins MVP in Simba FC's win over rivals Yanga in Mapinduzi Cup". Ghana Soccernet.
  10. ^ "Exciting Ghanaian midfielder James Kotei living dream at Tanzanian giants Simba FC". Ghana Soccernet.
  11. ^ a b Ditlhobolo, Austin (26 June 2019). "Ghanaian midfielder James Kotei joins Kaizer Chiefs". Goal. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  12. ^ a b "James Kotei finds new club after Kaizer Chiefs exit". Kick Off. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  13. ^ "James Kotei: Ex-Kaizer Chiefs midfielder released by FC Slavia Mozyr". Kick Off. 20 June 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
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