The Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association has banned Asante Kotoko winger Nicholas Mensah from all football activities for a year.

The ruling follows a complaint brought by Aduana Stars after Mensah appeared against them earlier this season in a Ghana Premier League match.

According to Aduana Stars, Mensah, who started the game, was allegedly ineligible to play for the Porcupine Warriors. The club alleged that Mensah, now known as Joshua Kwame Rhule, changed his name without permission. Mensah was known as Louis Mensah prior to his current name change.

However, Aduana Stars’ attempt to sanction Asante Kotoko for improper player registration was denied by the Disciplinary Committee. The commission stated that Mensah’s former club, Dumasua Delsanco FC, is to blame for the offence. Following an investigation, the GFA Prosecutor judged Mensah guilty and suspended him from football activities for a year.

“Asante Kotoko SC notes the decision of the Disciplinary Committee of the GFA to issue a one-year ban from all football and football-related activity to Nicholas Mensah with a retrospective effect from 10th February 2023,” said Kotoko in response to the ban.

“The club will review the verdict before considering our next steps,” they added.

Here are a few important highlights on Nicholas Mensah since he joined Asante Kotoko

• On August 22, 2022, Asante Kotoko announced the signing of Nicholas Mensah a three-year deal from division two side Delsanco FC — joining former teammate Augustine Agyapong at Asante Kotoko.
• NB: Right-back Augustine Agyapong joined Asante Kotoko from Delsanco FC in 2021
• He was handed jersey number 31, previously worn by Songne Yacouba & Eric Donkor
• Nicholas Mensah registered an assist (Sarfo-Taylor goal) on his pre-season debut for Asante Kotoko in a friendly game against the Ghana Army Soccer team in Accra
• A few days later, Mensah was named in Asante Kotoko’s pre-season squad for Sudan
• During the pre-season, Nicholas Mensah’s confidence and determination as well as his self discipline & ability to learn more all the time proved why he was going to be a symbolic value to Asante Kotoko
• On 28th September 2022 Mensah made his Premier League debut from the bench by then coach Seydou Zerbo in Asante Kotoko 2-1 home win in their outstanding game against Nsoatreman at Baba Yara
• Although it wasn’t a perfect day in front of the home supporters he was promising
• On the last day of October 2022, coach Zerbo handed Mensah a debut start in the derby against King Faisal at Baba Yara — he went ahead to score his debut goal for Asante Kotoko in the 56th minute.
• He continued his good form and scored again to equalize (78th mins) for Asante Kotoko after his side conceded first against Samartex (49th mins)
• His hunger and humility showed why he was going to be one of the breakout stars in the Premier League
• The talented footballer, went on to score again for Asante Kotoko with a brilliant effort in the next away game against Medeama
• Mensah’s sparkling form made him a more valuable asset for the Porcupine Warriors. It was good for him because he kept pushing himself and it was good for the team because it obviously gives us that driving force.
• Asante Kotoko fans noted his rise and started establishing him for a junior NT call up but on new year’s Day of 2023, after featuring in the Premier League game against Aduana, the Dormaa-based club lodged a protest against Asante Kotoko for fielding ‘ineligible’ Nicholas Mensah (mainly calling for points deduction) but (on February 10, 2023) the case was dismissed by the GFA Disciplinary Committee as the player Nicholas Mensah’s license was revoked.
• On May 17, 2023, Asante Kotoko announced the Ghana Football Association Disciplinary Committee’s decision to hand Nicholas Mensah a one-year ban from football-related activity.