Toffees cancel Ghana trip

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Everton have been forced to cancel their pre-season trip to Ghana due to scheduling problems.

The Toffees were due to play an exhibition game against Asante Kotoko on 12th July, but Ghana's Football Association has organised a domestic cup competition which will clash with the planned visit.

Everton, who had never previously visited Africa, are understandably disappointed to see their plans scuppered, but are confident their preparations for the 2009/10 campaign will not be affected.

"This is extremely disappointing news. The club had invested a lot of time and effort into making this game a reality and were looking forward to making the trip out to Kumasi," said chief executive Robert Elstone.

"It became clear in the past 24 hours that the opposition would be unable to meet its obligation to play on 12th July and despite looking at other dates and teams in the end it just could not work elsewhere in the schedule.

"We obviously have a responsibility to David Moyes and his players and we are all focused on ensuring they get the best possible preparation ahead of the start of the new Premier League season."

Everton are now planning to arrange a date with a team from within the United Kingdom for around the same time as the planned trip to Ghana.

They will then face Rochdale on 18th July before heading out to America to take in games against River Plate and the MLS All Stars.

Their return to England then sees them face away games at Coventry and Blackpool and they round off their pre-season friendlies with a home clash against Malaga on 2nd August.