The duo left the club’s hotel on Friday night but insist they had no intentions to run away ahead of their friendly game against DC United
Asante Kotoko Sudanese striker AbdoelKarem Yagoub and defender Esmat Al Hasan have been reportedly spotted in Maryland, about one hour drive away from Washington DC after the club initially confirmed that the duo had absconded from camp in the United States ahead of the game against DC United on Saturday.
According to a close source, one of the players said they only left camp to visit their family members in Maryland and believe it was unfair on the part of the club to leak information that they had gone AWOL leading to unnecessary pressure on them.
”We didn’t intend to run away. We only wanted to see some family members,” one of the players said.
”The reports are unfair. It is not good for us,” he added.
The club’s leadership in Washington, per reports, have given them ultimatum to report to camp to avoid further intense disciplinary actions.
As Kotoko are left with five players left in camp, former Bechem United defender and Ghana FA Cup winner Eric Owusu is part of the Ghanaian select side in the United States to be added up for the Capital City game against DC United today.
Other players to also feature in the game include Geoffrey Owusu, Rolland Appiah, Davis Owusu Amankwatiah, Gideon Hooks, Isaac Sarkodie, Charles Adu Bio and Kwadow Nyarko.
Puncherello Chama, do you remember Eric Owusu because he played in Zambia.
Asante Kotoko have officially confirmed the missing of their two players in United States of America following an exclusive report by AshesGyamera.com.
The two players, defender Esmat AbdalHamid Mohamed and striker Obdoelkarem Yoouef Yagoub left the club’s camp on Friday night, a day before their game against DC United in the Capital Cup
“Asante Kotoko SC regrets to inform our supporters and the public that two players, Esmat AbdalHamid Mohamed and Obdoelkarem Yoouef Yagoub, both Sudanese nationals, are currently missing from the camp,” a club statement read.
“The players left the team’s hotel without permission on Friday, 11th October 2024, and all efforts to contact or locate them have been unsuccessful. The club has officially notified law enforcement authorities in the United States and is cooperating fully to ensure their safe return. We urge our supporters to remain calm as we work with the relevant authorities,” the statement added.
Kotoko will be joined by some selected Ghanaian footballers in the United States to form a team in order to face DC United. The guest players to also feature in the game include former Bechem United defender and FA Cup winner Eric Owusu, Geoffrey Owusu, Rolland Appiah, Davis Owusu Amankwatiah, Gideon Hooks, Isaac Sarkodie, Charles Adu Bio and Kwadow Nyarko.
The two players initially wanted to make money transfer to families back home but it turned out that they had other ideas
Two of Asante Kotoko players that travelled to United States for the friendly against DC United have reportedly left their hotel, AshesGyamera.com sources have revealed.
The duo are striker AbdoelKarem AbdoelRahman Yoouef Yagoub and defender Esmat Abdulhamid Mohamed Al Hasan. The Sudanese players initially wanted to go out of the hotel premises with the excuse of sending money to their families back home but the club’s management declined that request.
However, they were nowhere to be found early hours of Saturday as the team were preparing for their training sessions ahead of the game. Further checks from the hotel’s CCTV footages confirmed that players leaving the premises in a car.
The club’s leadership began to search the local area for the players to make sure they are safe and sound.
AshesGyamera understands that with the ongoing political crisis in Sudan, the players are planning to seek for asylum in the United States and that will make them remain in the country legally as immigrants.
BACKGROUND
Asante Kotoko defeated fierce rivals Hearts of Oak 2-1 on July 17, 2024 to lift Ghana’s democracy Cup thanks to a goal each from Justice Blay and Peter Amidu Acquah and a consolation goal from Asamoah Boateng for Hearts. The victory gave Kotoko the opportunity to represent the country in the Ghana Week Celebrations with a game against Major League Scoccer side DC United in a friendly at Audi Field in Washington, DC on October 12.
However, things did not go as planned as only seven first team players of Kotoko including Elvis Kyei Baffour, Emmanuel Antwi, Justice Blay were able to secure visas for the trip. Although, assurances were given that other players will be sorted out soon, that never happened and the seven players who had had visas were already in United States but the game had to be called off.
On Friday, October 11, the organisers of the event agreed to pick a select side for Ghana comprising of players from Kotoko who were already in the country and other youth players from Ghanaian clubs touring United States.
“D.C. United and Ghana Week DC have announced an update to the Capital City Africa Cup scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12. Due to visa challenges for Asante Kotoko, additional players from other Ghana Premier League teams will be rostered for the match and the team will play as the “Ghana Week DC Select Side,” a statement read.
“The Ghana Week DC Select Side will include seven players from the first team of Asante Kotoko, two players from Attram De Visser FC, in addition to other top Ghanaian players based in America.
“The highly anticipated match, headlining DC Ghana Week celebrations, is aimed at promoting Ghanaian tourism, culture, and sports in the DMV area. The week-long initiative underscores the strong ties between Ghana, the U.S., and the African diaspora, fostering cultural exchange and unity,” the statement added.
After the announcement, the two Sudanese players opted to capitalise on the situation and absconded for greener pastures away from football.
English-born forward who is now Ghana international Kwame Afriyie Aduboufour Poku has been named as English League One Player of the Month of September after scoring three consecutive goals for Peterborough United.
The 23-year-old, who was born in Croydon, a suburb of London, has been in top form this season netting three times in four games. He was on target when Peterborough drew 1-1 with Lincoln City, and in the 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers as well as the 2-2 stalemate with Leyton Orient.
“I am delighted to win the award,” Poku, who has scored six goals this season said after picking his award.
“This is the first time that I have won an award like this, so I am very grateful. It was a good month personally and I was happy to be able to contribute with goals,” he added.
Poku began his career with Cray Wanderers before joining Worthing FC and Colchester United. He signed for Peterborough in 2021 and has worked his way up in the squad to become one of the fans’ favourites.
He made his Black Stars debut in 2021 as Ghana defeated Sao Tome and Principe 3-1 in 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, coming on for West Ham United star Kudus Mohammed.
Following his mistake that led to Ghana’s defeat against Angola in the last home match in Kumasi, Rayo Vallecano defender Abdul Mumin has been benched by Otto Addo for Alexander Djiku to partner Salisu Mohammed in centre defence against Sudan at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Also, Leicester City midfielder Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Inaki Williams will start from the bench but Ernest Nuamah starts on the wings after returning from injury layoff.
Jordan Ayew and Antoine Semenyo lead the attack for the Black Stars as Kudus Mohammed captain the team for the first time in their career.
Ghana are in a dire need of victory since they have failed to win any of their previous two games in the qualifiers.
Ghana FA head of communications, Henry Asante Twum has rubbished claims that Arsenal midfielder Thomas Teye Partey did not join the Black Stars ahead of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Sudan on Thursday due to injury worries.
According to Asante, Partey did not pick any injury in the Gunners win over Southampton last weekend but rather fell ill afterwards.
Although, a section of Ghanaians believe Partey has feigned injury to avoid backlash following a series of uninspiring performances for Ghana, Asante is adamant to their claims.
“Partey isn’t injured but rather illness. He is sick and not injured as speculations say. It isn’t malaria and I can’t disclose the kind of illness he is suffering from at the moment,” Asante told Asempa FM as quoted by AshesGyamera.com.
“It is not everything we can put in the public domain and of course, if it is not an illness that everyone [around] him knows, I wouldn’t say he is sick. I can’t, however, bring out his medical record.
“Obviously, Partey’s absence will have some impact on the team but in situations like this you need to work out a plan. It is a bit difficult because obviously he is one of the experience and influential players of the team. He has also been the leader of the team in the last four games we’ve played [without Andre Ayew]. Therefore, you would expect that in all times he would be available in order to play but it is what it is. Unfortunately, he is not coming so what we have to do is find new ways to approach the matches without him.
“At this moment, Otto Addo is focused on identifying the best option to replace him ahead of the game.
Ghana coach Otto Addo has opted to call four foreign-based players to join the Black Stars squad following series of injuries in camp ahead of the game against Sudan in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Despite the limited time available to call for replacements, Addo showed yet no faith in local players as always believed and handed four youngsters in Europe a chance to join the senior national team.
Michael Baidoo, Abu Francis, Jonas Adjetey and Ibrahim Sadick have been called up for Ghana’s crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan. They come in to replace Thomas Partey, Joseph Painstil, Kingsley Schindler and Ibrahim Osman who have been ruled out due to injury. The four players are expected in Accra to join the squad ahead of the Group F qualifiers.
Michael Baidoo is a 25-year old who plays for IF Elfsborg in the Swedish top flight. He began his career at Vision FC in Ghana before moving abroad to join FC Midtjylland in Denmark. He previously played for Fredericia, Jerv and Sandnes Ulf. The midfielder is one of the standout performers for Elfsborg having made regular appearances for the club in the Swedish topflight and the UEFA Europa League.
Abu Francis plays for Cercle Brugge in Belgium having excelled at Right To Dream Academy and FC Nordsjaelland. Abu made his Ghana debut in an international friendly against Uganda in March this year and has been a regular figure in the Black Stars in recent months. He was part of the team that lost to Angola and drew with Niger in last months 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Jonas Adjetey: The 20-year-old defender, who was recently invited in place of Alexander Djiku, has been making a name for himself in the Swiss Super League. He previously played for Teshie Football Academy, Accra Great Olympics and Berekum Chelsea before joining FC Basel.
Ibrahim Sadick: He is a product of the Right To Dream Soccer Academy and a former player of FC Nordsjaelland who plays for AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch League.
The Black Stars are set to face Sudan on Thursday, October 10 and Tuesday, October 15, 2024 in two very important Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Thomas Partey, Joseph Painstil, Kingsley Schindler, and Osman Ibrahim have been ruled out of the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan due to injuries they picked up over the weekend. The four players were initially part of Coach Otto Addo’s 25-man squad for the double header.
Below is an update on the four players:
Thomas Partey
Thomas is unable to join the Black stars due to medical issues he is currently experiencing, and his club has scheduled him for further tests in the coming days.
Joseph Paintsil
He experienced some pain in his hamstrings during their last game on Saturday, October 5. His club doctors have scheduled him for an MRI on Monday, 7th October. He is therefore unavailable to join the Black stars.
Osman Ibrahim
Experienced pain in his calf muscles during their last game and was substituted in the 65th minute. His club has since communicated his unavailability to the Ghana Football Association.
Kingsley Schindler
The player is unable to join the Black Stars due to a medical emergency he’s currently receiving treatment for.
The Black Stars are set to face Sudan on Thursday, October 10 and Tuesday, October 15, 2024 in two very important Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Confederation of African Football has instructed Sudan coach Kwesi Appiah to step down as an executive council member of Ghana Football Association ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers between Ghana and Sudan on October 11 at the Accra Sports Stadium and return leg on October 14 in Libya.
Appiah was elected into office on the ticket of his former club Asante Kotoko on October 5, 2023 after amassing ten votes to join Dr. Ransford Abbey (12), Frederick Acheampong (11), Nana Sarfo Oduro (10) and Kingsley Osei Bonsu as Premier League representatives on the Executive Council.
However, Appiah got an appointment as head coach of Sudan few months later which has since raised concerns about his commitments. Although, he has been adamant to public opposition to see him stepping down from the executive committee role of Ghana FA, Caf has ordered him to resign by the close of Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
“Conflict of Interest regarding your dual roles as Ghana Football Association Executive Council Member and Sudan football team Head Coach. It has come to our attention that you are currently holding two significant positions:
Member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council Head coach of Sudan’s national football team,” a CAF statement read.
“As you already know, Ghana and Sudan are in the same pool for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers (the “Competition”). The two teams are set to face each other on 11th and 14th October 2024, and your dual roles create an apparent conflict of interest.
“This situation is contrary to the CAF Statutes and the FIFA Code of Ethics. For that reason and to preserve the integrity of the AFCON qualifiers, I urge you to take immediate action to resolve this conflict of interest, including, at a minimum, temporarily stepping down from one of the two roles until the conclusion of the Competition.
“I kindly request you to provide CAF with written confirmation and proof that you have taken the necessary steps to remedy the situation on or before Tuesday 8 October 2024. Failure to do so will result in this matter being referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board,” the statement concluded.
Appiah’s Sudan are second in the group with three points, two points above Ghana who lost their opening game to Angola at home and shared the spoils 1-1 with Nigeria in Morocco last month.
Ghana 🇬🇭 deputy captain Thomas Teye Partey played 84 minutes when Arsenal came from a goal down to defeat Southampton 3-1 in Premier League on Saturday.
The box-to-box midfielder was made a makeshift right-back by Mikel Arteta following injury concerns to Ben White and Jurrien Timber ruled them out of the game.
Although, Partey didn’t play at his favourite position, he was ranked as the third best player in the game with 7.7 rankings behind Bukayo Saka (9.6) and Kai Havertz (7.9).
Partey had 95 touches of the ball and completed 92 per cent of passes as 69 of his 75 passes ended up successfully. Also, he made four tackles and won two interceptions, as well as winning all five ground duels he went into in the game.
However, he lost ten possessions but compensated that with one clearance, one block and one shot on target.
