Ghanaian champions Asante Kotoko have been granted a Confederation of African Football (Caf) license to play in the 2022/23 Champions League.
The Porcupine Warriors registration for the competition, which starts in September, has been completed.
According to Caf, Kotoko were granted license following a successful Club Licensing Seminar hosted by CAF in Egypt, Cairo a fortnight ago that saw Member Associations, Leagues, FIFA and sister Confederations meet to discuss the roadmap for the licensing system in Africa.
For the last few years, Club Licensing in Africa has achieved impressive milestones that have resulted in the improvement of club football in the continent.
Each year, CAF, working with Member Associations and the Leagues, embarks on a licensing process that focuses on enhancing the club football product.
The club licensing process for CAF club competitions is regulated through the different CAF codes and competition regulations, which state that all clubs (Licence Applicants) intending to participate in the CAF Interclubs competitions, must undergo the club licensing process with their respective Member Association (Licensor) and be granted a license by the competent decision-making bodies.
The granting of a licence to the clubs endorses that each club has met the requirements set in the CAF Club Licensing regulations.
The CAF Member Association is the Licensor and assesses each club according to five criteria: Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel and Administrative, Legal, and Financial. For the current cycle, the deadline date for submission of all the licensing decisions and documents was 30 June 2022.
A total of 58 clubs, including Kotoko, from 46 CAF member associations were licensed.
Kotoko have been drawn to face Burkinabe champions Rail Club de Kadiogo in the preliminary round.
The first leg will take place from September 9 to 11, with the return matches taking place a week later.
Kotoko will travel to Turkey this week to continue preparations for the new season.