Alhaji Grusah demands investigation into Asante Kotoko’s USA trip after Sudanese players abscond

Alhaji Grusah, the owner of King Faisal FC, has called on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to investigate what he describes as mismanagement by Asante Kotoko’s Interim Management Committee (IMC) during their recent friendly match against DC United.

Grusah’s appeal follows a controversial decision that allowed two Sudanese players, Esmat Abdalhamid and AbdoelKarem Yagoub, to abscond just a day before the match. Reports indicate that the players sneaked out of their hotel, as captured by CCTV footage that showed them being picked up by a vehicle.

The Sudanese pair were among nine players and five officials who traveled to the USA on October 9, 2024, for the friendly match. Grusah criticized the IMC’s decision to send an incomplete squad, emphasizing that this mismanagement ultimately led to the unfortunate incident involving the two players. He insists that accountability is vital for maintaining the integrity of Ghanaian football.

“Otumfuo Osei Tutu II should investigate the mismanagement by Asante Kotoko’s IMC during the DC United friendly. Their decision to send players without a full squad led to the unfortunate absconding of two Sudanese players. The officials must be held accountable,” Grusah stated in an interview with Oyerepa FM in Kumasi.

Compounding the situation, Asante Kotoko faced visa issues prior to the trip, resulting in several players being denied visas. Due to the limited squad, the team agreed to collaborate with a Ghanaian select side in the USA, forming a combined team that ultimately triumphed over DC United with a 2-1 victory at Audi Field.