Kotoko withdraws from NC special competition

Sports News from Monday, June 3, 2019

Source: footballmadeinghana.com

2019-06-03

Following the indignant position of the Ghana Federation's Standardization Committee aimed at smoothing out differences between Asante Kotoko and his semifinal conflict with Hearts of Oak, the Porcupine Warriors withdrew from the competition.

Asante Kotoko, who finished second in zone A of the NC special competition, should play against Hearts of Oak, who dominated zone B.

The NC announced that the return match would be held at the Accra Sports Stadium, a stance against which Asante Kotoko protested vehemently, insisting that it would offer an undue advantage to his hardest-fought rivals .

Asante Kotoko felt disrespected by CN after writing several unanswered letters, calling for the clash to take place on neutral ground.

Addressing FootballMadeInGhana.com, Asante Kotoko Nana CEO Kwame Dankwah confirmed the club's position and explained why.

"Yes, we withdrew after a meeting with our executive chairman," he said.

"We wrote to CN to explain our position and explain why the game should be played in a neutral venue so that the process is shared fairly.

"None of the rules specify that the team at the head of the group must play at home.

"So we pulled out," he confirmed.

The Porcupine Warriors will however play the Rank II league after qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Techiman City FC had previously retired from competition, Asante Kotoko becoming the third club after Wa All Stars did not start at all.