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Ghana Premier League side Asante Kotoko have announced their withdrawal from the Capital City Africa Cup, scheduled to take place in the US on Saturday, October 12.
According to a statement from the club, their decision comes after struggling to acquire visas for all the players and technical team for the game.
Kotoko were expected to play DC United after beating Hearts of Oak in the 2024 Democracy Cup.
However, despite having the first badge of the team depart Accra to the US with the expectation they would find a breakthrough for the other contingent also to join them, Kotoko were unable to resolve the visa challenge.
In a statement published on Thursday, October 10, the club announced its official decision to back out of the game.
“It is with deep regret that we announce our decision to withdraw from the Capital City Africa Cup, scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C on Saturday, 12th October, 2024,” the statement said.
“Despite ongoing discussions with the event organisers and the expectation that the visa challenges faced by our contingent would be resolved by Thursday evening, 10th October 2024, the necessary visas for our full squad and technical team have unfortunately not been secured in time. Given these hurdles, the club has determined that we are unable to proceed with participation in this year’s game.
“Throughout this process, we have maintained our professionalism and patience, working diligently with all involved parties to explore every possible avenue for a smooth participation. However, due to circumstances beyond the club’s control, it is now in the best interest of the club to focus on our immediate priorities.
“We understand that our decision may disappoint our supporters, who were eager to see Asante Kotoko SC compete on an international stage. However, this course of action reflects our commitment to ensuring the club operates under conditions that uphold our standards and values. As a result, we wish to make it clear that the brand Asante Kotoko SC is not associated with the game or any activities related to the Capital City Africa Cup.
“We would also like to inform our supporters that the first contingent, including seven players and technical staff currently in the United States of America, will return to Ghana on Sunday, 13th October 2024. Upon their return, the team will immediately shift its focus to solidifying and building on our strong start to the Ghana Premier League season, ensuring continued success in the domestic campaign.
“Asante Kotoko SC remains fully committed to upholding the reputation, dignity, and values of the club. We are grateful to our fans for their understanding and continued support during this period.”
source: myjoyonline.com
