"GHALCA to alter Top 4 start date to accommodate Kotoko"

The start of the 2014 GHALCA Top4 is set to be rescheduled upon the request of league Champions Asante Kotoko.

The pre-season tournament which was re-launched after a two-year break last Wednesday was confirmed to kick-off on August 24 to be contested by Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, AshantiGold and Heart of Lions.

But the porcupine warriors have since before the launch of the competition been prevailing on the organizers for a rescheduling of the then proposed date explaining that their playing body will not be competitively ready to feature in the competition.

Kotoko have been holding non-residential pre-season preparations in hope of a trip to Spain for the past three weeks but have now scheduled to start a 20-day residential camping in Tamale after cancelling their plans to travel out of Ghana.

“Kotoko have raised a valid concern regarding the start date of the Top4 which we are considering. They have explained to us that due to their planned tour of Spain, they had been having non-residential trainings before leaving the country and so are not competitively ready to go into the tournament next weekend,” the Chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), Alhaji Ali Raji admitted.

FootyGhana understands that GHALCA has mooted to move to an August 27 new date while officials of Asante Kotoko have suggested a preferred September start date but the executive council of the organizing body will meet on Friday afternoon to take a decision which will accommodate their concerns.

“We have discussed the development with the GFA and we are ready to change the date to accommodate Asante Kotoko. GHALCA will be meeting to take a decision on a new start date this afternoon,” the GHALCA boss added.

Kotoko have been drawn to play guest to rivals Accra Hearts Oak in one of the opening day fixtures of the 2014 GHALCA Top 4.