CAFCL: CAF confirms Al Hilal for group stages, Kotoko knocked out

The Confederation of African Football has confirmed Sudanese giants Al Hilal’s place in the group stages of this year’s CAF Champions League, effectively confirming Asante Kotoko’s exit from the competition.

CAF will hold the CAF Champions League group stage draw later on Friday in Cairo but that draw will not include the Ghanaian giants who were seeking a first group stage appearances in the continental competition for the first time in 14 years.a

The CAF Champions League preliminary round second leg between Al-Hilal, Omdurman and Kumasi Asante Kotoko was called off due to an outbreak of COVID-19 in the visitors camp.

Ahead of the clash, Kumasi Asante Kotoko confirmed they had received positive tests for four officials and seven players but raised questions over the validity of the results.

Kotoko claims the Al-Hilal officials tampered with the results of their players to prevent them for fielding said players for the game.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko journeyed to Sudan for the return leg with 22 players.

But with less than 15 players fit to contest the tie, Kotoko was unable to present a team, prompting officials to call off the game.

Kotoko will now participate in the CAF Confederation Cup, where they will play in the final qualifying round for a place in the group stages.