With three days to the opening ceremony of the 2023 African Games, the Theodosia Okoh Hockey pitch is without a hockey turf.
The stadium is earmarked to host the hockey competition of the African Games but work is progressing slowly at the facility and time is fast running out.
Twenty-nine (29) sporting disciplines will be in action at the 2023 African Games, with eight disciplines serving as Olympic qualifiers for Paris 2024.
The Africa Hockey Federation initially announced that Hockey would kick off on March 15 and run till March 23. However, new information suggests the hockey start date has been moved to March 17 due to the unreadiness of the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium.
According to Joy Sports sources, the hockey turf, which is being imported, will arrive in Ghana on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
With the start of hockey pushed to March 17, it means Ghana has 12 days to fix the turf, test it and make sure it reaches the International Hockey Federation (FIG) standard for the games.
Ghana’s hockey teams themselves were underwhelming in South Africa in the 2024 Olympic qualifiers in November 2023. Both the men’s and women’s teams missed out on qualifying for the Olympics with the Men coming third while the Women placed fourth.
The authorities at the Ghana Hockey Federation have struggled to prepare the team for the African Games, with playing surfaces hard to come by.
Theodosia Okoh Hockey pitch was given a pass to host the African Cup for Club Championship (ACCC) in 021 and the Hockey Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 despite the playing surface not being up to International standard. Who do we blame for this embarrassment?
Since the African Games is a unique event, the Local Organizing Committee are in charge of making sure the hockey pitch is ready for the tournament. So far, they have not delivered.
The Cameroon international joined the club from Inter Milan in July in a £47.2 million ($60 million) deal but a string of costly errors put him under huge pressure.
Onana, 27, said it had been tough to adjust to life in Britain.
“It took me six months or seven months not to play good, just to feel good,” he said.
“It was a difficult time for me. Now I’m feeling a bit better because everything was new. It was difficult for me to feel at home because of so many reasons, a new country.
“But now I’m feeling good. I don’t want to talk about my performance because I know the goalkeeper I am and I have done much more than what I just did.
“So, for me, the most important thing is to be set, to be happy and I will shine.”
Onana spoke openly about his challenging start to life in Britain ahead of United’s match against Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.
The goalkeeper’s errors during United’s short-lived Champions League campaign were costly but his performances have since improved markedly and he believes he is now on an upward curve.
“I think I had a turning point, but not on the pitch because, like I said, more mental because everything was different,” he said.
“Of course, I moved last season from Amsterdam (Ajax) to Milan, but that adaptation was quite easy.
“But it took me seven, eight months here. It was just time to learn and just go game by game. I hope we will end on top.”
Onana said he had received support from his teammates as soon as he arrived at Old Trafford.
“They always believed in me, they told me from the beginning, ‘Andre, listen, the quality is there, it’s just a matter of time,’ he said.
“I am very happy, especially with the supporters, the fans. They were nice with me even in difficult periods and I’m very thankful. I can only thank them.
“I think everything is behind me. Now we have to move on and I think together a great time will come.”
Member of Parliament for South Dayi constituency, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has alleged that former Black Stars forward, Asamoah Gyan’s penalty miss at the 2010 FIFA World Cup was deliberate.
The former Ghana international missed from the spot in the last minute of extra time of the quarterfinal game against Uruguay after Luis Suarez stopped a goal-bound ball with his hand.
But the National Democratic Congress MP said that Gyan’s crucial missed kick, which would have made Ghana the first African country to play in the semi-final of the World Cup, was politically influenced.
Speaking to Radio XYZ, Dafeamekpor alleged the former Black Stars captain has been a lifelong supporter of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and did not want glory for their rivals.
“I am of the opinion that Asamoah Gyan intentionally threw away that penalty because it was under NDC. It’s today that I’ve come to the realisation that he threw away the penalty in the 2010 World Cup and the Africa Cup because the glory would have come to the NDC.
“Asamoah Gyan is now part of the Bawumia campaign team. There is everything wrong with that because when you are a national figure and you become partisan I can reasonably say that it’s because of politics you threw that penalty away so that the NDC government will not get the glory. I am telling you that I feel the pain,” he said.
His comments come after Gyan showed interest in serving on the manifesto committee for the NPP 2024 elections candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Dafeamekpor condemned the former Legon Cities man’s choice to accept the position.
According to him, Gyan should not have accepted the post because he is a national figure with widespread respect and admiration from both main political parties.
hana Athletics has selected their final team that will represent the nation at the upcoming 13th Africa Games, taking place in March 2024 in Accra, Ghana. The team selection adhered to a rigorous process aligned with the national athletics body’s 2024 selection policy and qualifying standards. “The team selection was conducted meticulously, adhering to the 2024 Ghana Athletics Selection Policy and Qualifying Standards,” stated a press release dated February 29. Running and field event standards, according to the release, were based on 2023 African rankings to ensure only the most competitive athletes were chosen.
Development was also considered, with the B qualifying standard aimed at “nurturing the next generation of Ghanaian world-class athletes.” Indoor equivalent standards were used given the timing of the Games in March. According to the release, athletes were provided opportunities in January and February to express interest in participating. The technical committee convened on February 28th to finalize the selection. “Athletes who indicated disinterest or failed to respond to the interest inquiry were excluded from consideration,” the release specified, maintaining transparency in the process. The local organizers have approved 36 total slots for Ghana’s athletics team, with 18 slots each for men and women. However, Ghana Athletics is petitioning for more spots, aiming to give additional talent a chance to compete on home soil at the prestigious continental event. See below the list of the selected athletes and coaches
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has parted company with head coach Jose Poseiro.
The Portuguese announced the separation on his X page on Friday.
“Yesterday, we concluded our contract with the NFF. It was a pride and honour to coach the Super Eagles. It has been 22 months of immense dedication, sacrifice, emotion, and enormous enthusiasm. We feel a sense of fulfilment,” he stated
Mr Poseiro expressed gratitude to the former President of the NFF and current administration after ending his 22-month stint with the West African country.
“We would like to express our gratitude to Sir Amaju Pinnick (the president who signed us), President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, Secretary Dayo Enebi, the NFF, all the Staff, and especially all the PLAYERS, with whom leading has been a great pleasure.
“Guys, we are thankful; it has been a privilege to be part of this family. We will miss you, but we will always be there for you, no matter where you are. A big hug to all of you.”
Jose Poseiro led the Super Eagles to the finals of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, losing 2-1 to host Côte d’Ivoire.
It was the first final Nigeria since the AFCON in South Africa in 2013.
Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Friday, March 1, 2024, commissioned the University of Ghana stadium (Legon Stadium), at a colourful ceremony in Accra ahead of the 13th edition of the African Games to be staged in Accra.
The 11,000 capacity facility which will serve as one of the venues for the competition has been completed as Ghana wraps-up preparations ahead of the opening of the Games on March 3.
Commissioning the stadium, the Vice President said “The history of the African Games is tied with the history of the continent.
“I believe it is common knowledge that the Great Pan African and First President of the Republic of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah is a founding member of the Games. The Games thus inhabit the Spirit of Africa and Pan Africanism.
“Our theme for this edition of the Games, “Experience the African Dream”, is thus steeped in the core values of unity, independence, political and economic cooperation, as well as historical and cultural awareness.”
He added that “this is the age of the African Renaissance. The continent is tagged by Trade Finance Global with the potential to shape geopolitics and world economics for decades to come.
“This potential would not marginally materialize to propel our people into prosperity without conscious and intentional action on the part of everyone, especially leadership across all social divides and facets of society.”
The United Nations, he said, had “Identified sports as the most appropriate vehicle for sustainable socio-economic development and made a pronouncement as such in 2018. Combined with the youthful bulge of our demographic dividend, the opportunity is here, and the time is now. Ghana is ready to host the world.
“It is in recognition of many social and cultural benefits inherent in sports that the Government of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic, took the bold decision to bid for and win the rights for Ghana to host this edition of the African Games. This visionary step has resulted in the construction of international standard sporting facilities such as the University of Ghana Sports Stadium and Rugby Field and the Borteyman Sports Complex.
“Construction of these facilities have not been easy, but we know that the returns would be immediate and substantial”, he concluded.
Over 13,000 elite athletes, sports technocrats, technicians, and officials, including volunteers are expected to participate in the African Games that ends on Saturday March, 23.
The African Games is a celebration of the continent’s greatest sporting talents who gather and compete in an atmosphere of camaraderie, unity and celebration the cultural diversity that is uniquely African.
Ghana star, Mohammed Kudus, has emerged as the player with the most successful dribbles in the English Premier League season so far this season.
The West Ham United attacking midfielder despite arriving late in the summer without preseason has managed to out-perform everyone in successful dribbles.
This does not come as surprise given the successes the former Ajax talisman achieved in the Dutch league before a summer move to North London.
The 23-year-old midfielder sits top of the list of players with most successful dribbles with 66 take-ons completed.
That is four ahead of Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku who completed 62 dribbles.
Others on the list are Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha with 52 dribbles, with Luton Town’s duo Chiedozie Ogene and Ross Barkley—third, fourth & fifth respectively on the table.
Inaki Williams and Nico Williams made the headlines on Thursday night as Athletic Club beat Atletico Madrid to seal a place in the 2023/24 Copa del Rey final.
The two brothers combined for two of Bilbao’s goals in the 3-0 win at San Mames to ensure Ernesto Valverde’s side made light work of Atletico.
The Basque club came into the second leg of the encounter with the advantage having won 1-0 at Wanda Politano.
Inaki opened the scoring at San Mames with a brilliant volley in the 13th minute after a great run by Nico on the left wing, crossing the ball for his elder brother.
The Ghana international returned the favour moments, turning the provider for his junior brother to double the lead and put Bilbao in the driving seat.
After the break, Gorka Guruzeta scored the third for the home side and put the game beyond the reach of Atletico and secure a place in the final for his side.
Bilbao will now face Mallorca in the final of the competition with the date yet to be confirmed.
An Accra High Court has issued a final warning to the state to produce witnesses to testify against former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kwesi Nyantakyi else the fraud and other charges brought against him will be dismissed.
The state named five witnesses to testify in the matter including Anas Aremeyaw Anas. However, none of the witnesses has been presented to court despite filing witness statements.
Mrs Justice Marie-Louise Simmons, the third judge sitting on the case since it started in March 2020, last Wednesday stated her inclination to strike the case out after state prosecutors informed the court that Anas Aremeyaw Anas, their star witness had declined to appear in court and testify as a witness without wearing a mask/hood citing security for his life as his concern.
According to the state prosecutor, Mr Aremeyaw Anas had implored the state to appeal against the decision of the High Court ordering him to show his face to the accused persons and their lawyers before testifying.
A High Court ruling in May 2023, stated that “Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas will testify against former GFA President Kwasi Nyantakyi in open court but disguised in a mask.
“Mr Nyantakyi will, however, have the opportunity to see his face in chambers before such testimony.”
This was after the Supreme Court presided over by Justice Baffoe-Bonnie on November 8, 2022, granted an application for certiorari filed by Kwesi Nyantakyi, quashing the order of High Court 2, Criminal Division, which granted a dispensation for the state to have its principal witness, Anas Aremeyaw Anas testify in-camera.
Lawyers of Nyantakyi quoted the prosecution to have said, “Our witness Anas Aremeyaw Anas, we pray that his testimony is heard in camera.”
This application was opposed by the applicant’s lawyer at the Supreme Court on April 29, 2022, who insisted that the High Court gave a dispensation without the facts and grounds of the application formally set out in an application to the Court.
A portion of the application said “…it is evident from Applicant’s lawyer’s objections to how the High Court’s discretion was invoked for a dispensation that the reasons for which the prosecution made the prayer were not clear.
“This is put beyond doubt by Applicant’s lawyer’s submission which is captured in the record as follows;
“…this will have the opportunity to let us know why he wants to testify in camera. (sic)”
“It is proper he comes formally, file a motion and support with an affidavit why his witness wants to testify in camera….”
This objection was ignored, but the Supreme Court upheld the plea, quashing the High Court ruling.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas, via his X page, formerly Twitter, published a statement from his legal team which said that he may choose to testify on behalf of the late Ahmed Suale, who was the principal witness.
“Anas Aremeyaw Anas agreed to testify in the stead of Ahmed Suale on the condition he will be allowed to do so in-camera or in chambers,” portion of the statement said in reaction to the order from the Supreme Court for him to testify without his mask.
It added that “Anas may choose to testify as prosecution witness or not.
“Anas and his Tiger Eye Pi team will continue to wear the iconic face beads as a symbol of impartial anonymity in investigative journalism and to highlight the extreme risk in that line of duty.”
Following the decision of the Supreme Court, the High Court ruled that Anas should show his face to the accused persons before his testimony.
An appeal was filed at the Court of Appeal about five months ago but neither a date for a hearing has been fixed nor a judgement delivered on the appeal.
During an appearance in court on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, the High Court judge gave the state a window to produce witnesses in the next adjourned date of April 30, 2024, or the case will be struck out.
It would be recalled that Justice Comfort Kwasiwor Tasiame, the first judge to sit on the case, on March 11, 2021, when it began on March 4, 2020, discharged the accused persons, stating, “I think the prosecution may need a longer time to put their house in order.
“It’s been one year since we set out to do a case Management Conference but due to the excuse by the Learned Counsel for the Republic, that they have a witness statement to file, we kept adjourning this case till today.
“I think in these modern times there can be a way out for prosecution who has the whole state apparatus behind her to file a witness statement without us going and coming.”
“Justice delayed they say Justice denied. Justice is two-way traffic for prosecution and accused as well,” the respected Judge noted.
“As it stands now, I have no option other than to discharge the accused persons. Any time prosecution is ready, they can do the needful.
“Accused persons are discharged,” Justice Comfort ruled.
However, Counsel for the Republic Victoria Asieduaa, proceeded to Criminal Court 2 of the High Court on March 24, 2021, to have the case heard afresh.
Nyantakyi filed an opposition against the move of the Republic, requesting that the case be taken back to Court 4, but on June 7, Justice Elfreda A. Dankyi, the second judge to sit on the case ruled that it would be heard in her court.
The Republic filed its first witness statements two years ago, but none is yet to appear in court and testify.
March 4, 2024, would be exactly four years since the former CAF 1st Vice President and FIFA Council member, Kwesi Nyantakyi was arraigned before the Accra High Court.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas on March 26, 2019, barely a year after the exposè demanded the prosecution of Mr Nyantakyi in an online petition.
“In Ghana, he (Nyantakyi) was arrested, then granted bail. Police have completed investigations into likely criminal misconduct by Mr Nyantakyi.
“They submitted their findings to the Attorney General last year. The Attorney General has not taken any action on the case till date,” Anas said in a statement.
“Please help us ASK the Attorney General to MOVE this case forward. Mr Nyantakyi should face criminal prosecution over some of his misconduct, which borders on criminality.
“We are sending letters, making calls, sending social messages to all government entities that can help us MOVE this case to the next level. We are also reaching out to news media to help spread the word.
“If Nyantakyi is not prosecuted, our collective fight against corruption will be meaningless. It will also send a signal to many citizens that the law only deals with the poor, but the rich and powerful cannot be held responsible for their actions,” he noted.
In November same year, Mohammed Abdul Aziz, Member of Parliament for the Mion constituency demanded answers from the then Attorney General, Madam Gloria Akuffo today told Parliament that the government was committed to the prosecution of Kwesi Nyantakyi.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will on Friday, March 1, 2024, commission the University of Ghana Stadium for the African Games 2023.
The 20,000 capacity which has been completed to host the 13th edition of the multi-sport event will be centre of attraction for the field and track disciplines during the games.
About 13,000 athletes, officials, and volunteers from 54 African countries are expected in Accra for the two-week competition, and the commissioning of the venue signifies the final phase of preparations.
President Akufo-Addo about two weeks ago, commissioned the Borteyman Sports Complex, and his vice will commission the Legon Stadium.
On Wednesday, February 28, Ghana Athletics Association organised a national open championship to test the new equipment and tracks laid for the competition.
