2025-04-18

SPORTS WORLD

African Games 2023: Ghana beat Nigeria again to clinch gold in women’s hockey final

Nearly 24 hours after Ghana beat Nigeria in the Africa Games’ U-20 women’s football final, the hosts once again defeated their West African rivals in a tense affair in the hockey final.

The Ghana women’s hockey team, Black Sticks, secured Ghana’s 12th gold medal at the 2023 African Games after defeating Nigeria on penalties in the final at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Pitch.

Initially, Ghana’s team had defeated Nigeria 1-0 en route to the final. But the Nigerian team started stronger in the finals, signalling their intent to avenge the earlier loss.

The Nigerian ladies piled pressure but fine saves from Ghana’s shot stopper, Abigail Boye prevented them from scoring.

After two-quarters of an underwhelming performance, the Black Sticks began to find their rhythm in the third quarter creating chances and pinning the Nigerians at their own half.

But, the Nigerian goalkeeper Uko Martha made scoring difficult for the Ghanaian players as she came up with super saves to prevent the ball from entering her net.

After four quarters of huffing and puffing, the game had to be decided on penalties.

Goalkeeper Abigail Boye came to the rescue as her four penalty saves helped Ghana beat Nigeria 4-3 on penalties to win gold.

2023 African Games: Paul Amoah, Ibrahim Fuseini secure spots in 200m final with Ghana 1-2

he Ghanaian duo of Joseph Paul Amoah and Ibrahim Fuseini has booked their spots in the final of the men’s 200m at the ongoing 2023 African Games.

This comes on the back of a 1-2 finish in semifinal 2 on Thursday night at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.

Joe Paul won the semifinal in 20.93 seconds and again jogged his way to the finish line just like in the heats earlier in the morning.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Fuseini placed second just behind his compatriot with a time of 21.03 seconds.

However, Solomon Hammond failed to make the final after finishing fifth in semifinal 1 with a time of 21.06 seconds.

The 200m final will be competed on Friday evening at 16:50 GMT, with Ibrahim Fuseini in lane two and Joseph Paul Amoah in lane six.

2023 African Games: William Amponsah wins silver medal for Ghana in half marathon

Ghanaian long distance runner, William Amponsah, won silver in the men’s half marathon race competed on Friday morning at the ongoing African Games in Accra.

The national 10,000m record holder crossed the finish line in one hour, five minutes and thirteen seconds (1:05:13) in the event that took place at the University of Ghana campus.

His time was just nine seconds behind the eventual Amare Hailemicael of Eritrea. Zimbabwe’s Isaac Mpofu finished third in 1:05:37 to claim bronze.

William Amponsah’s compatriot, Koogo Atia, finished fifteenth in one hour, 12 minutes and 14 seconds (1:12:14).

Earlier, Amponsah set a new national record in the men’s 10,000m event despite finishing fifth. He took 2.79 seconds off his 29:53.78 he ran in 2020.

African Games 2023: Joseph Commey, Aryeetey secure boxing final slots; Takyi, others fight on Thursday

hana is set to secure more medals in the boxing competition after Joseph Commey and Mohammed Aryeetey both qualified for the finals of their various completions.

After Janet Acquah’s bronze medal in the minimum weight category on Wednesday, Aryeetey and Commey’s progress means Ghana will do one better in the men’s boxing.

Aryeetey was the first to qualify on Wednesday after winning his semi-final contest with Morocco’s Hamza Essaidi via a unanimous (5-0) decision.

All five judges scored in favour of the minimum weight boxer in the men’s 48k contest at the Boxing Arena in the Trust Sports Emporium, Bukom.

An hour later, Joseph Commey also dispatched Algerian Oussama Mordjane.
The lightweight boxer qualified with a majority (4-1) decision in the men’s 60kg event.

Later today, the following Ghanaian boxers will be involved in various semi-final contests:

  1. Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey – Flyweight -51kg.
  2. Amadou Mohammed – Bantamweight -54Kg
  3. Samuel Takyi – Light Welterweight -63.5Kg
  4. Abubakar Kamoko – Cruiserweight -86Kg

Whatever happens tonight, Ghana are guaranteed seven medals (out of the 16 presented) by the end of the boxing competition.

Ramatu Quaye, Adelaide Djabartey, Sarah Apew, Abdul Walid Omar, Alfred Kotey, Henry Malm, Abdul Baki Adam & Jonathan Tetteh, and Daniel Plange are the boxers who could not make it to the medal zone.

African Games 2023: Joe Paul, three others make 200m semis

Team Ghana will have four representatives in the semifinal of the men’s and women’s 200m event at the ongoing African Games.

Janet Mensah sealed her place in the women’s event with a time of 23.75s winning her heat.

Joseph Amoah (20.91s) and Ibrahim Fuseini (21.02s) won their respective heats in the men’s event as well while Solomon Hammond (21.32s) finished second in his heats to also book a place in the semifinal.

The women’s semis starts at 16:45 GMT while the men’s start at 17:10 GMT.

Black Stars: Mohammed Kudus out of Nigeria, Uganda friendlies due to shoulder injury

Mohammed Kudus will play no part in Ghana’s friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda during the March international break.

The midfielder has pulled out of the Black Stars squad for the game due to a shoulder injury.

Kudus was named in head coach Otto Addo’s squad for the upcoming games against Nigeria and Uganda but has had to pull out.

The 23-year-old featured for West Ham United during their last Premier League game last weekend where he played the entire duration of the game in the 1-1 draw.

Kudus was not named as one of the players to travel on the international break on West Ham’s website and hence will now stay in London to recover.

The Black Stars face Nigeria on March 22 before playing Uganda four days later.

Nigeria’s Bright Osayi-Samuel faces possible suspension in Turkey

Nigeria’s Fenerbahce defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, faces the possibility of a significant suspension following an altercation with a Trabzonspor fan over the weekend.

Fenerbahce secured a 3-2 victory against Trabzonspor on Sunday, narrowing the gap to league leaders Galatasaray to just two points.

After the match, chaos ensued as home supporters stormed the pitch.

In a viral video circulating on social media, Osayi-Samuel, the Super Eagles defender, was seen engaging in self-defence against a violent attack from a Trabzonspor fan, which involved him punching the assailant.

Reports from Turkey Leo Sports indicate that Osayi-Samuel could potentially face a suspension of up to 10 games as a consequence of his involvement in the altercation.

Furthermore, there’s a possibility he may be referred to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) Disciplinary Committee, who will ultimately decide on the punishment.

Under Article 44 of the Turkish football discipline regulations, Osayi-Samuel could face a suspension ranging from several weeks to a year, with the disciplinary committee having the authority to make the final decision.

In an attempt to defend his actions, Osayi-Samuel is expected to plead self-defence during the upcoming hearing scheduled for Tuesday, April 2nd. The outcome of the hearing will determine the extent of any penalties imposed on the 26-year-old defender.

Nketiah Foundation Cup 2024: Joma Smart FC win inaugural edition of football tournament

Joma Smart Football Club won the maiden edition of the Nketiah Foundation Cup after beating Strong Heroes Academy in the final.

The one-day football competition, which was held at the Madina AstroTurf on March 16, 2024, saw the Teshie-based side lift the trophy and walk away with a cash prize at the end of the day.

Both Joma Smart and Strong Heroes made the final after a brilliant run in the group stage as well as the semifinal.

The winners topped Group A which also had Highest Academy as well as Aboma while Strong Heroes advanced from Group B which also consisted of Mercury Academy and Vassajan, who finished second in their group.

Victories in their semifinal ties meant Strong Heroes set up a mouthwatering encounter against Joma Smart with the latter scoring late in the second half to break the hearts of Strong Heroes, who are based in Kasoa Amanfro.

The tournament was put together by the Nketiah Foundation, a non-governmental organization set up by Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah, in partnership with Elite Project Sports Agency which is based in London.

Speaking to Joy Sports after the event, the father of the English-born Ghanaian, Eddie Nketiah Snr, said he was impressed with the success of the first edition despite the short notice.

“It’s been amazing. We called people at short notice but in terms of the quality of the football and the fun that was had by all of us, I think it’s been wonderful,” he said.

“The Foundation is simply trying to inspire people and the youth through football. Eddie [Nketiah] is a story that comes from a humble beginning and he has got into where he has gotten to.

“We want to use the platform to help people to move to a level where they have fun but also while having fun tackle some of the serious social issues such as poverty, isolation and try and have fun.”

He also added that his team will look to organize more of the football competition which will help unearth more talent.

Each participating team walked home with a cash prize as well as a football while the top three teams got medals in addition.

The first runner-up, Strong Heroes Academy, were rewarded with a GHS 1,000.00 while the winners, Joma Smart FC, also received a GHS 2,000.00 cash prize.

Individuals who walked away with accolades included:

  • Player of the Tournament – Williams Akuffo (Strong Heroes)

Top scorer – McCauley Obeng Dochi (Joma Smart)

Best Goalkeeper – Obed Dwamena (Joma Smart)

TAG Nketiah Foundation

African Games 2023: ‘Event didn’t look possible a few months ago’ – Former Nigeria Sports Minister marvelled at Ghana’s efforts

Immediate past Nigerian Minister for Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, has expressed surprise at Ghana’s ability to host the 13th African Games from an impossible situation ten months ago.

According to Dare, who was deeply involved with the process through an AU committee, said in an interview in Accra that ten months ago, when Ghana asked for an eight-month extension, hosting the Games in Ghana appeared impossible.

After demonstrating a strong commitment to develop some world-class facilities, Dare believes Ghana, President Akufo-Addo, and the Minister for Sports deserve commendations.

“I think we must commend the President of Ghana, the Minister for Youth and Sports of Ghana, Mustapha Ussif, because when you look back 10 months ago it was almost impossible that this would take place and Ghana requested for 8 months extra to be able to put everything in place,” said Dare, who is in Accra for the Games.

“We have seen what they (Ghana) have done. We have seen a brand new stadium at the University [of Ghana], we have seen the Games village, and we have seen on display the absolute commitment of the government of Ghana and the efforts of the Minister and his team,” he added.

“I have been to the games, and I think that this is commendable. I was the chairman of the African Union team last year when we took the decision to extend the time for Ghana to be able to prepare. I’m happy that in eight months, Ghana has been able to pull this together.’

Dare described the successful hosting of another African Games as “a pride for Africa that 54 countries are gathered here, 29 sports and 7 different venues for the 13th edition of the African Games.”

“It requires a lot to host the African Games. It requires the political will and support of the government of the country, it requires a minister and ministry of Sports that is up and running and has the political zeal to pull it through, it requires all the support of stakeholders in the sports architecture; the Athletics, the federations and all those involved coming together and work together to make this happen.”

Ghana is hosting the 54-country and 29-discipline sports festivals after building multi-purpose infrastructure in Accra.

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