The reigning Ghana Premier League champions, Asante Kotoko, have withdrawn from the GHALCA Top 6, a preseason tournament set to begin in August.
The club announced this in an official statement on their Twitter page.
“We have this afternoon written officially to GHALCA, informing the welfare body of our decision not to partake in this year’s Ghalca Top Six tournament.
“Our decision was purely based on sporting reasons”.
The Porcupine Warriors, who finished top of the league, were expected to compete in the tournament against Medeama, Bechem United, Karela United, Great Olympics, and Hearts of Oak.
The Ghana League Clubs Association, the organisers, revealed earlier this week that they would hold a top six tournament, contrary to initial reports of a top four.
“We’re playing top 6 and all the matches will be played at Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The tournament will be played from August 14-31, 2022. The format for the tournament will be announced later.
“We apologize to fans of Kotoko. We are not looking down on them but we need to keep Ghanaian reps for Africa very active before their African campaign begins,” Vice chairman of GHALCA, John Ansah, said.
The club’s withdrawal from the tournament comes just a day after Coach Prosper Nartey Ogum resigned as head coach of the club, leaving a search for a new coach ahead of their preseason.