Asante Kotoko have declared their imminent return to football after the funeral of Nana Pooley, despite their initial threat to boycott matches “until justice is served”.
Pooley was tragically stabbed during the Porcupines’ match against Nsoatreman in Nsoatre during Week 19 of Ghana’s top-tier league. His burial is scheduled for March 6.
Initially, Kotoko insisted they would not resume playing until the perpetrators were brought to justice. However, they have now expressed satisfaction with the progress of the investigation.
Brimah has been identified as the suspect responsible for Pooley’s death and is currently at large.
“I would like to declare that, based on the happenings, Asante Kotoko shall be ready and willingly to return to the pitch after the burial and final funeral rites of the late Nana Pooley,” said Communications Director, Sarfo Duku.
“We also have players that we are paying and at the end of their contracts, we expect that the contracts shall be renewed.
“Secondly, we are all under CAF and very soon, the GFA will be compelled to submit the participants for next year’s [CAF Inter-club competitions] so there are timelines. We have thought it wise that, while we continue to seek justice for our brother, the league and therefore football activities can move on and we are fully prepared.”
Kotoko resumed training on February 19 in a bid to be in shape ahead of their return.