2025-04-11

SPORTS WORLD

Paris 2024Q: Black Queens didn’t lose to Zambia because of complacency – Freda Ayisi

Black Queens midfielder Freda Ayisi has set sights on her side overturning the first-leg deficit against Zambia on Wednesday, February 28.

Ghana will face Zambia in the second leg of their 2024 Olympic Games third-round qualifier in Ndola looking to advance at the expense of their hosts.

The Black Queens suffered a second consecutive defeat when they met the Copper Queens at the Accra Sports Stadium last Friday with Racheal Kundananji scoring the game’s only goal.

Ayisi made her debut for Nora Hauptle’s women during the game in Accra and was taken off after the opening 45 minutes.

Speaking ahead of the second leg, the Charlton Athletic player said, “It will be amazing for the team to go for the Olympics because it’s a big opportunity to show the world that Ghana can play football and also put us on the map again.”

“I feel that the team is good, the team is doing well, it wasn’t complacency that made us lose in Accra. We are focused, sometimes football can go either way and that’s what happened in the 1st leg.”

The 29-year-old was also quizzed about how quickly she’s adapted to the team after receiving her maiden call-up.

“I’m adapting and I feel like am doing well especially in training and that is the best way to adapt, just train and work hard with the girls and hope I will be on the same level and we can play football together permanently,” she added.

The return leg of the tie will be played at the Levy Nwanawasa Sports Stadium in Ndola.

Paris 2024Q: Nora Hauptle confident Black Queens can overturn Zambia first leg deficit

lack Queens Nora Hauptle believes the team can cause an upset in Ndola when they face Zambia in the second leg of their Olympic Games qualifier.

The two teams are set to meet again on Wednesday, February 28, in the return leg of their third-round qualifier for the 2024 games to be staged in Paris, France.

The Copper Queens claimed a 1-0 advantage in the earlier meeting at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, February 23, which puts Ghana on the brink of elimination.

However, Hauptle is backing her side to cause an upset against the 2023 Women’s World Cup participants.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t deliver or succeed against Zambia in the first leg, but we have the second leg against Zambia,” said the Swiss trainer.

“I think when we put one goal in, it will explode down there and then we back in April for the fourth round against Morocco and then I hope that the stadium [Accra Sports Stadium] here is cooking and we can get a sold-out stadium.”

The Ghana team are already in Ndola as preparations begin for the second encounter against Zambia. The team left Ghana right after the defeat at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Queens are hoping for a first appearance at the Olympic Games while chasing a first football appearance for Team Ghana since the Black Meteors in 2004.

”Some people are bringing Hearts of Oak to a lower level; I won’t accept that” – Hearts Coach

Head coach of Accra Hearts of Oak, Aboubakar Ouattara has stated his
opposition to mediocrity that has threatened the club’s status as the biggest
club in Ghana.

The Ivorian trainer won his first match in charge of the club when he superintended over a a 3-0 win over Real Tamale United (RTU) on Sunday.

A brace of goals from Hamza Issa and a third by Enoch Asubonteng wrapped up a comprehensive win.

During the pitch side interview, the interviewer described Hearts as one of the biggest club in Ghana. Ouattara promptly interrupted him to correct what he thought was wrong.

Interviewer: ”Hearts of Oak is one of the biggest clubs in Ghana…”

Coach Aboubakar Ouattara (interrupts): ”Not in Ghana. One of the biggest clubs in Africa but the people are bringing this team to a lower level.”

Ouattara stated his abhorrence for any such performance or behavior that does not meet the club’s high standards.

”I can never accept that. We are going to try to bring Hearts of Oak to their past (successful) era.

”But only hard work will make that possible. Nothing else.”

Hearts are ninth on the league table with 24 points and are five points from fourth place.

The Phobians are also eight points from league leaders, Samartex 96 – who face Aduana Stars on Monday.

African Games 2023: LOC to spend GHS 33.4 million a day on ‘operational expenses’

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 13th African Games, has budgeted to spend a whopping US$48 million (GHS602 million) on “operational expenses”, 6 times Parliament’s approved GHS100 million.

The figure works out to around a 6-day weekly expenditure of GHS200.6 million, and a daily operational expense of GHS 33.4 million for the 18-day competition.

The details of the LOC’s spend are contained in a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST), signed by the LOC Chairman, Dr. Kwaku Ofosu Asare, seeking sponsorship to support the LOC’s activities.

The letter was published on social media by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa.

The LOC hopes to raise the monies through corporate sponsorships.

In that regard, President Akufo-Addo, held meetings with CEOs of both State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and private businesses, to solicit for funds to support the project.

He held meetings with GOIL, GNPC, Ghana Gas, ENI Energy, McDan, Zoomlion and many others, and Hon. Ablakwa alleges that BOST has already paid US$500,000 to the LOC as part of their sponsorship.

This move is being criticized for its profligacy, and for targeting already struggling public and private companies, sparking ethical concerns and potential parliamentary actions.

Ghana won the rights in 2018 to host the multi-sport event, which was expected to take place in August 2023. But delay in completing facilities earmarked for the 29-sport event led to a postponement to 2024.

The country invested heavily in infrastructure for this purpose. They constructed the brand new Borteyman Sports Complex, completed the University of Ghana Stadium, and renovated accommodation facilities on campus to serve as the Games’ Village.

US$195 million has been invested of facilities to host the games, according to Ofosu Asare.

The games will take place from March 8-23, 2024. An estimated 8,000 athletes, technical officials and medical personnel are expected to be in Ghana during that period.

The LOC intends to procure 332 vehicles to serve transportation needs, with 55 buses, 29 Land Cruisers, 106 Saloon Cars, 26 minibuses, 78 Wagons, 30 Ayalolo buses, 5 trucks and 3 Prados.

“Beating Kotoko never a problem for me”- Bashir Hayford jabs Kotoko after guiding Lions to another victory

Heart of Lions coach Bashir Hayford has taken a thinly veiled dig at Asante Kotoko after securing a 1-0 win over the Porcupine Warriors.

Godfred Kwadwo Asamoah’s second half finish was enough to secure maximum points at the Kpando Stadium.

The former Medeama midfielder found space in the penalty area to finish just after the interval.

Known for his colourful post-match comments, Bashir Hayford was not going to pass up the opportunity to remind Kotoko of their day of shame against Lions, twenty years ago.

“This is the second history I’ve made for Lions against Kotoko. The first one was when we won the GHALCA Top 4 tournament.”

“We played the same Kotoko, we beat them, and they took their ball and walked off the pitch before the match ended,” he said.

On his latest conquest, Bashir Hayford disclosed what the trick was.

“As for Kotoko, I’ve been coaching other teams to meet them, and I don’t think they’ve ever been a problem for me.”

“So I told them (the Lions players) not to fear. The name is big, but they should not fear them.”

“Some of them hear the name Kotoko and they start panicking, so I psyched them and told them that, yes, it is one of the biggest clubs in Africa but doesn’t mean we cannot play them,” he said.

Since his appointment, Bashir Hayford has won three of the four league matches, with the only blemish being a 2-2 draw with defending champions, Medeama SC.

Lions are now temporarily out of the drop zone with 18 points.

Saturday’s defeat was Kotoko’s first in eight matches.

Prosper Ogum’s side had previously not lot been beaten in seven consecutive matches but struggled to cope with Lions intensity.

Kotoko remain in third placed with 29 points but could fall further behind if any of Samartex 96, Aduana, Nsoatreman United, and Berekum Chelsea win their matches this weekend.

Saturday’s match was the first Ghana Premier League game at the Kpando Sports Stadium in nine years.

Kelvin Kiptum funeral: Thousands mourn Kenya’s marathon star destined for greatness

Trying to hold back the tears, Kelvin Kiptum’s widow, Asenath Rotich, led the mourners at the funeral for the young Kenyan marathon world record holder.

She broke down when revealing that the couple had been planning a big wedding celebration in April.

Kiptum was just 24 when he died in a car accident nearly a fortnight ago.

He had stunned the world in his short marathon career and figures from sport and politics came to pay tribute to a man whose life had promised so much.

Kenya’s President William Ruto was there as well as Sebastian Coe, who heads athletics’ world governing body.

The funeral ceremony was held at the showground in the village of Chepkorio, where Kiptum trained in western Kenya.

His widow said she and Kiptum, who had a traditional marriage in 2017, had planned to hold a “colourful wedding ceremony” in April.

Her presence reminded everyone that the modest, softly spoken star had also left his wife, two children and parents bereft.

“I mourn my love,” she said, “I’ve cried until no more. I’ll miss you and you’re the love of my life forever. Until we meet again.”

Mourners queued up to view the body before the funeral service

Kenya is home to some of the world’s best runners and many came to pay their respects.

Amos Kipruto, the 2022 London Marathon champion, was a pall bearer at the service.

“The hands are not strong enough,”

“My heart is heavy it is painful, and I still feel it’s a movie… We are all rivals in races but in friendship we are together.”

Multiple world record holder Faith Kipyegon described Kiptum as “unique” and wondered what could have been, saying that this was the year that the young long-distance runner was going to break the two-hour barrier in the marathon.

“Since he arrived… he has re-written history,” He has a legacy that we’ve never seen in this world. We are here… to celebrate what he has achieved in a very short time.”

Athletes accompanied the coffin as it entered the grounds for the funeral service

Kiptum only ran his first marathon in December 2022 recording the fastest debut time over the distance. He then broke the London course record last year and smashed the world record, held by Kenyan great Eliud Kipchoge, in October 2023.

Overall, he ran three of the fastest seven marathons of all time in less than a year.

Reflecting on this record Lord Coe said Kiptum had reached “the highest peaks of achievement”.

But he was also a local hero who was said to have done a lot for people in his home area.

“I feel pain and shock,” local resident Susan Jerotich said.

“He would have been a great support to the community and family. He was our light. He’s motivated many.

“We used to say to our children: ‘Be like Kiptum.'”

Paris 2024Q: Zambia edges Ghana 1-0 for crucial first-leg advantage

Zambia has taken a crucial first-leg advantage over Ghana in their third-round 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Copper Queens secured a 1-0 win over the Black Queens in the all-important third round first leg match played on Friday evening.

The goal was scored very early in the match but Ghana’s senior women’s national team, who had lost just one game in their 11 recent matches, could not find the equaliser.

The task has now become herculean for the Black Queens as they head to Zambia for the reverse fixture in five days – on Wednesday, February 28.

The Black Queens did not have a good start to the match as they looked jittery from the start which was eventually punished by the imperious Zambia team.

18 minutes in, the world’s most expensive female footballer, Racheal Kundananji, gave the visitors the lead.

The Bay FC player chipped the Ghana goalkeeper to give her side the lead, a lead that ultimately secured them the win.

Hearts to play RTU in Accra following NSA approval

Hearts of Oak will host Real Tamale United (RTU) at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday after securing approval from the National Sports Authority (NSA).

Sunday’s match will be the first Ghana Premier League game at the venue since the NSA closed down the facility to sporting activities.

Since the NSA communicated its decision, Hearts of Oak, Great Olympics and lower tier clubs who use the facility were forced to find alternate venues.

Hearts were forced to host the super clash against Asante Kotoko and the Ga Mashie Derby, in Kumasi’s Baba Yara Stadium.

On Monday, the NSA opened the Accra Sports Stadium to a sporting activity for the first time when the Black Queens used the facility for their training.

The Queens have since been training ahead of the third round Paris 2024 Olympic Qualifier versus Zambia at the same venue.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 4 PM on Friday.

Paris 2024Q: ‘First leg against Zambia is a must-win’ – Nora Hauptle

Black Queens head coach Nora Hauptle says her girls are ready to step up to the next level when they face Zambia on Friday, February 23.

Ghana face Zambia in the third round of qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games to be staged in Paris, France, later this year.

The Queens have won 10 of their last 11 games across all competitions including two ties in the pursuit of a first-ever Olympic appearance.

The fixture against the Copper Queens will be the first real test for the Ghana senior women’s national team as they face a team in the top five places on the continent.

Speaking during her presser ahead of the game, the Swiss trainer said her side will be ready for the tough task ahead.

“Zambia, of course, is a big opponent. They have been at the World Cup. They played 21 games last year and have good individual players so I think it’s a must-win and we want to win,” she said.

“We want to face the top individual players with a top team. This is our cradle and we are working properly and excited that we can start tomorrow.

All 23 players have been involved in the team’s last two training sessions with the head coach boasting a full house for the game.

This will be the second meeting between Ghana and Zambia after the former lost 3-2 in a friendly game in 2018.

The game at the Accra Sports Stadium kicks off at 17:00 GMT with the second leg set for February 28.

CAF Champions League: Al Ahly writes to CAF to postpone match against Medeama SC

Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC formally have written to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to postpone their upcoming match against Ghanaian champions Medeama SC.

In a statement on Wednesday night, Ahly said the plane carrying the delegation from Accra to Kumasi could not to complete the journey.

Although the flight landed at the Accra airport to refuel, a gastric collision with the front of the fuselage, resulted in a malfunction.

The plane was no longer able to fly despite efforts to fix the problem.

To make matters worse, attempts to find a substitute flight for the Al Ahly contingent yielded no results.

The contingent have therefore been forced to spend the night in Accra and are expected to be on the first flight to Kumasi on Thursday morning.

Competition rules stipulate that visiting teams must have at least one training session at the match venue before matchday.

With the team set to arrive on Thursday, it is unlikely that Ahly will train on the same day amidst fears of jetlag.

Ahly have therefore written to CAF ostensibly to postpone Friday’s match to Saturday.

The defending champions are top of Group D with six points while Medeama SC are bottom of the pack with four points, with two matches to conclude the group stage.

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