Accra Hearts of Oak has officially announced its withdrawal from the 2025 EKO International Tournament, scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria.
The club announced this in a statement released on Monday, July 8, citing a scheduling conflict with their planned rest and recovery period as the primary reason behind the decision.
Originally slated for July 6–13, the tournament was rescheduled to July 13–20. However, the Ghana Premier League outfit explained that the new dates clash with the team’s recovery timetable ahead of their preseason preparations.
“After careful discussions between management and the technical team, we have taken the difficult decision to withdraw in order to protect the well-being of our squad,” the statement said.
Management explained that the rest period is vital for the players’ physical well-being before a demanding calendar of domestic competitions begins next month.
The club also issued an apology to fans and tournament organizers who were eager to see the Phobians in action.
To that effect, Hearts of Oak is expected to officially break camp on Wednesday, July 9, and reconvene later in the month to commence preseason training.
The team has lined up a busy August schedule, including participation in the GHALCA Top 4 tournament from August 15–19, a yet-to-be-confirmed Homowo Cup clash against Heart of Lions, and the Democracy Cup match against Great Olympics on August 28.
The club thanked its supporters for their understanding and urged them to stay connected to official channels for updates on upcoming matches, player signings, and training programs.
