Accra Hearts of Oak have officially announced their withdrawal from the upcoming EKO International Tournament in Lagos, Nigeria, citing concerns about player welfare and the importance of maintaining their planned rest and recovery schedule ahead of pre-season preparations.
Originally scheduled to participate in the prestigious tournament running from July 6 to 13, the Phobians faced a scheduling conflict after the organizers postponed the event to July 13–20.
This new timeline clashes directly with the club’s internal calendar.
*In a statement released, Hearts of Oak explained:*
“The tournament was later rescheduled to July 13–20. Unfortunately, this change conflicts with our carefully planned rest and recovery period for the players, which is essential before we begin our pre-season training.”
The club emphasized that the decision came after thorough consultations between management and the technical team, with player health and well-being as the foremost priority.
“We have made the difficult decision to withdraw to safeguard the welfare of our squad,” the statement added. “We sincerely apologize to the tournament organizers and our fans who were eager to see the team compete.”
The EKO International Tournament was set to feature top clubs from across Africa, including Nigeria’s Enyimba and South Africa’s SuperSport United, providing a competitive platform ahead of the new season.
