Hearts of Oak withdraw from Eko International Cup

Ghana Premier League giants Hearts of Oak have pulled out of the 2025 Eko International Cup in Nigeria this month.

The 2000 CAF Champions League winners were billed to take part in the eight-club invitational tournament set to kick off on July 6 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.

The clubs to partake in the tournament alongside Hearts of Oak include Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions Remo Stars, Enyimba, Ikorodu City, Shooting Stars Sports Club, Sierra Leone’s FC Kallon and Benin top flight champions Dadje FC.

The Phobians, according to a press release, took the decision to withdraw from the competition to “protect the well-being of the squad.”

Part of the statement read: “We sincerely apologize to the organizers and our fans who were looking forward to seeing the team in action.”

The competition is a platform for all the clubs to sharpen their arsenals ahead of the 2025/26 domestic and continental football season. Remo Stars will represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League after lifting the NPFL with Enyimba and Hearts of Oak new coach, Mas Ud Didi Dramani, taking advantage to shape up for their next domestic campaign.

Dadje FC won the Benin top flight and the tournament will be a perfect opportunity to fine tune ahead of the 2025/26 continental campaign. Ikorodu City, FC Kallon, SuperSport United and Shooting Stars SC will as well use the tournament to introduce some new signings ahead of next season’s campaign.