Kumasi Asante Kotoko Sporting Club have withdrawn officially from competing in the Capital City Africa Cup against DC United due to visa challenges.
The game was scheduled to take place in Washington DC on Saturday, October 12 but Kotoko’s participation in the game came under question over visa issues that came up earlier this week.
Reports reaching Citi Sports indicate that several members of Kotoko’s playing unit had their US visa requests turned down by the US Embassy in Ghana.
This development had Kotoko in serious talks with members of Medeama SC’s playing unit to complement its entourage to honour the game in the US.
However, according to an official communique by the club, the club was working to resolve the issue by Thursday, October 10 but to no avail which forced the club to withdraw from honouring the game.
Some members of Kotoko’s entourage who secured travel visas and travelled to the United States of America have been directed to return to Ghana on Sunday, October 13.
Scroll down to read full communique.
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.
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.
Signed,
IMC
