Asante Kotoko’s Head of Sporting Affairs, Kwesi Appiah, has confirmed the club’s decision to replace Sudanese players AbdoelKarem Yagoub and Esmat Abdulhamid, who absconded during the team’s recent trip to the United States.
The duo disappeared from the team’s hotel during their stay in the USA for a friendly match against DC United on October 12.
Despite efforts by Kotoko officials to contact them, the players remain unreachable, and the team returned to Ghana without them.
Yagoub and Abdulhamid were among 12 new signings made by the Porcupines after they parted ways with over 21 players last summer.
Their absence has further stretched the squad, which already faced challenges in the first half of the season.
“We did not get a lot players for the first round,” Appiah, who doubles as the head coach of the Sudanese national team told Accra-based Asempa FM.
“At some point, we had issues with selection because of injuries. If the coach submits what he needs, we will support him.”
Reports indicate that the players had initially requested permission to leave the hotel to exchange money, but their request was denied. However, CCTV footage later revealed they had secretly left the premises, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
The friendly match in the U.S. was part of the annual Ghana Week DC celebrations, organized by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in partnership with the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The ceremonial game featured the Ghana Select Side, which included players from Attram De Visser FC and other top Ghanaian players based in the U.S., alongside seven Kotoko players who had secured visas for the trip.
