Kumasi Asante Kotoko has officially confirmed that two Sudanese players are currently missing from the team’s camp in the United States of America (USA).

The Sudanese duo, Esmat Abdal Hamid Mohammed and Obdoelkarem Yousef Yagoub, left the team’s hotel in the USA without permission.

Some Kotoko players were expected to join a selected Ghanaian side for a ceremonial match against DC United later on Saturday, October 12, 2024.

A statement from the club read: “Asante Kotoko SC regrets to inform our supporters and the public that two players, Esmat Abdal Hamid Mohammed and Obdoelkarem Yousef Yagoub, both Sudanese nationals, are currently missing from the camp. The players left the team’s hotel without permission on Friday, October 11, 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.”

It is worth noting that the majority of Asante Kotoko players were denied visas to participate in the match against DC United, with only seven players granted visas.

In an earlier statement, Asante Kotoko said they had been assured by organisers that the visa issues would be resolved, leading to seven players departing for the USA on Thursday, October 10, 2024.

However, due to the visa challenges, Kotoko officially withdrew from the match. The remaining five Kotoko players are expected to join a selected Ghanaian side to play against DC United later on Saturday.