2024-12-23

gsn24 news

John Zile is new UBO Africa International champion

Undefeated Dormaa-based boxer John Zile moved closer to a world title bout last Friday after stopping hard-hitting Emmanuel ‘Akufo-Addo’ Quartey in the Universal Boxing Organisation (UBO) International Super Bantamweight title fight at the Semanhyia Golden Mall in Kumasi.

After taking a beating in the first two rounds, 34-year-old Quartey failed to answer the bell in the third round, forcing the referee to end the bout and declare Zile the winner.

Moments after being decorated with the belt by GBA official Michael Tetteh, Zile, 24, who now has a fight record of 13 wins, no defeats, and two draws, vowed to win the world title in the super bantamweight division. “I am ready for the world. I am ready for anyone in the world. I can’t wait to win the world title for Ghana,” he stated.

Many fans who thronged the mall were expecting a full 12-round title bout; however, Zile ended their hopes while fans were still arriving to watch the match.

With powerful combinations and right hooks, coupled with left jabs and uppercuts, Quartey was rendered listless and failed to find his rhythm, ultimately giving up in round three.

The night, organized by Mr. Gordon Frimpong, CEO and founder of Osibor Boxing Promotions and Management and manager of John Zile, also saw stablemate Stanley Nyantekyi knock out veteran Isaac Nettey in round three to win the UBO Africa Featherweight title.

Mr. Frimpong told the  Media that the Dormaa native will bring a world title to the country this year. He revealed that Zile will fight in September in Kumasi to defend his international belt and look ahead to the world title in October or November.

“Zile’s fighting style is unique. He counterpunches very well, pivots very well, and can connect from the inside and outside while withstanding and taking punishment from his opponents,” he stated.

Ghana to host Angola on opening day of AFCON 2025 qualifiers

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the dates for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers (AFCON).

According to CAF, the qualifiers would take place from September to November this year to make way for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers slated for 2025.

Ghana will open its campaign against Angola at home before making a trip to Niger for the second Group F match scheduled for between September 2-10, 2024.

The Black Stars will later face Sudan in a double header in October as they host the 1970 African champions in Kumasi before traveling for the reverse fixture –in the week of October 7-15, 2024.

The final round of qualifiers will take place in November when Ghana trek to Luanda as guests of Angola before they wrap things up against Niger at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

The top two teams from the group will qualify for the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next year. Otto Addo’s men are in search of a ticket to the biggest football tournament on African soil having previously won the title in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982.

The Group F Fixtures are attached below:

Japan will test our defence on a much higher level – Black Queens Coach Nora Hauptle

Black Queens Head Coach, Nora Hauptle, believes Japan will give her defence a much tougher test than what they are used to in their international friendly next week.

The team has been camping in Accra for the past four days in preparation for the game on Saturday, July 13.

This is the highest-ranked team the Black Queens will face since the Swiss took over last year..

Speaking to the media at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, July 6, Hauptle said the team will play to win but the focus is on testing the level of her team against a much better side.

“Well, basically, it’s always the result we want to get in every national team game. We want to win, we go with this approach. But of course, it’s still working on our performance.

“They will challenge us in our defence on a much different level than we have been used to now in the last year.

“But we want to go with bravery in defence, courageously. We also have a bit of, let’s say, a courageous strategy.

“We also have a good plan B and C ready. So it’s about bringing the principles onto the pitch, but of course, always aiming for success.”The Black Queens will depart Ghana on Sunday for Japan ahead of the friendly game at the Kanazawa Go Go Curry Stadium on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

Asante Kotoko announce two Sudanese signings

Asante Kotoko have announced the signings of forward AbdoelRahman Yoouef Yagoub and defender Esmat Hassabalbagi.

The two Sudanese players signed a season-long loan contract with an option of a permanent deal.

Yagoub, who joined from Hay Alwady of Sudan, is expected to replace Steven Mukwala who netted 14 times for Kotoko last season in the Ghana Premier League.

Esmat moved from Al Hilal and will slot in the squad as a left-back.

The duo become the first activity of the club’s rebuild after parting ways with over 21 players in the last few days.

It is understood Sudan coach Kwasi Appiah who is part of Kotoko’s Interim Management Committee, made the recommendation.

Both Sudan nationals could make their debut against Hearts of Oak in the Democracy Cup on July, 17, 2024.

All Regional Games: Gyan, Bawumia launch event at Baba Yara stadium

Former Ghana international, Asamoah Gyan, and his team officially launched the All Regional Games on Saturday, July 6, 2024.

The launch of the all-new competition which is aimed at unearthing and developing talent across most of the sporting disciplines was held at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

The much-anticipated competition will feature athletes competing in events such football,  athletics , volleyball , basketball , tennis, table tennis, boxing, Esports, and arm-wrestling.

The comes following weeks of several activities whipping up the traction from fans ahead of the launch.

The special guest at the Baba Yara Stadium was the Vice President of Ghana and the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia.

Others who graced the occasion were Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, Director General of the National Sports Authority, Numekevor Dodzie, as well as former team mates of Gyan.

Some entertainment celebrities were on stage to bring life to the event.

They were comedian, Ras Nene (now Dr Likee), musicians Fancy Gadam, Guru, and Wendy Shay.

Hundreds of fans also came out in their numbers to support the former Black Stars captain on his new project.

During the press launch of the competition in April, Gyan and his team revealed each region is expected to identify their top sportsmen and women through a trial.

Athletes selected, aged 18 to 23, are set to compete against their counterparts from other regions on a date yet to be announced.

Dreams come true: 800m runner makes Nigerian Olympic team 12 years after writing the vision as a teenager

Edose Ibadin will head to the Paris 2024 Games as Nigeria’s first 800m runner to compete at the Olympics since Seoul 1988, a dream that took twelve years to achieve.

Nigerian 800m record holder Edose Ibadin is thrilled to make the Paris Olympic team twelve years after writing the vision down as a teenager.

Ibadin qualified for the Paris Olympics after running a blistering 1:44.65 on July 30, 2023, which was within the qualifying window to surpass the automatic standard of 1:44.70.

By making the team, the 31-year-old will become the second Nigerian to run in the event at the Olympics since Ado Maude at the Seoul 1988 Games.

Expressing his excitement on his X page, the experienced runner quoted his tweet in 2012, affirming he’ll be at the Olympics one day.

“When I tweeted this, I was 18(soon to be 19) and a freshman in college. 12 years later, I’m now 31 headed to my first Olympics later this month. Only had one scholarship offer, Never made an NCAA final, didn’t have a contract coming out of college. Always bet on yourself.”

He also took to his Facebook page to show gratitude to everyone who has helped him achieve his dream

“After not making the Tokyo Games, I was sad and at the same time reminded that weeping may last through the night but joy comes in the morning. To everyone who has invested in this journey, I just want to say thank you.

“To Every coach I’ve had to every person I’ve trained with, I thank you. From prayers, encouraging words, tough love, none of it was in vain.

‘I’ve learned a lot of on this journey and I am glad that Paris gets to be a part of it.” he wrote.

Team Ghana secures three semi-final slots at African Athletics Seniors Championships

Ghana’s sprinters Isaac Botsio and Edwin Gadayi have advanced to the semi-finals of the men’s 100m at the African Athletics Seniors Championships in Douala, after impressive performances in their heats on Friday.

Botsio secured his spot by finishing second in Heat 3 with a time of 10.41 seconds, trailing Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi.

Gadayi also claimed a second-place finish in Heat 2, clocking 10.49 seconds behind Liberia’s Joseph Fahbulleh, who won the race in 10.45 seconds.

In Heat 4, Ghana’s Brock Appiah finished fifth with a time of 10.58 seconds, missing out on a semi-final berth.

On the women’s side, Deborah Acheampong delivered a strong performance in Heat 3, finishing second with a time of 11.92 seconds, just behind Gambia’s Gina Bass, who the double at African Games in Accra three months ago.

Acheampong will compete in the semi-finals on Saturday. Unfortunately, Hor Halutie finished fourth in Heat 7 with a time of 11.71 seconds and did not advance.

In the women’s 100m hurdles, Doris Mensah and Evonne Britton finished third in their respective heats. Mensah clocked 13.63 seconds in Heat 1, while Britton finished Heat 2 in 13.30 seconds.

In the women’s discus final, Rejoice Agbewodie ranked 12th out of 16 competitors, with a best throw of 48.38 meters.

2026 Athletics Championships: Ghana wins hosting rights

Ghana has been awarded the rights to host the 2026 Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Seniors Championships, triumphing over Botswana in a competitive bid.

The country’s athletics governing body, Ghana Athletics announced on Saturday via its social media handles that the West African nation will host the 2026 edition.

Out of the 15 countries that voted for the next competition host, Ghana garnered 12 votes, while Botswana managed only three.

Ghana’s successful bid was led by a delegation including Deputy Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA) Bawa Majeed, President of Ghana Athletics Bawah Fuseini, and Vice President in charge of administration Charles Osei Assibey.

Following the CAA General Assembly in Douala where it was announced that Botswana and Ghana are the countries being considered, the latter was encouraged to bid for the prestigious event, leveraging its world-class facilities showcased during the recent African Games 2023 and the CAA Region II Seniors Championships.

The country is now expected to deliver another exemplary event in 2026.

In the ongoing championships, three Ghanaian athletes have advanced to the semi-finals of the 100m events. Isaac Botsio and Edwin Gadayi secured their places in the men’s 100m, both finishing second in their heats. Deborah Acheampong also advanced in the women’s 100m, finishing second in her heat.

Afcon 2025 to take place in December

The Confederation of African Football has set December 21, 2025, as the date for the next Africa Cup of Nations.

The 28-day continental event, which will be staged in Morocco, will end on January 18, 2026.

The decision was taken at CAF’s Executive Council Meeting on Friday after months of uncertainty.

The President of CAF, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, said: “I am confident that the AFCON Morocco 2025 will be extremely successful and will be the best AFCON in the history of this competition.”

The draw for the qualifiers is slated for July 4, 2024, with 48 nations, including Ghana, set to compete for slots at the tournament.

Ivory Coast are the defending champions after hosting and winning the title with a 2-1 win against Nigeria in the 2023 edition.

WAFCON 2024 rescheduled to July 2025

The Confederation of African Football has set July 2025 as the date for the next Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The competition had initially been scheduled to be played this year in Morocco.

However, a decision at a CAF Council meeting earlier on Friday, June 21, moved the tournament to next year.

The 21-day continental event will commence on July 5, 2025, and end on July 26, 2025.

This comes after months of uncertainty following the completion of the qualifiers.

“I am also impressed by the enormous growth of Women’s Football in Africa and I am expecting the WAFCON Morocco 2024 to be immensely successful,” CAF president Patrice Motsepe said.

“We will continue to make significant progress in developing and ensuring that African Football is globally competitive and amongst the best in the World.

“CAF is grateful to King Mohamed VI of Morocco, the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (“FRMF”), its President Fouzi Lekjaa, the Government, and the people of Morocco for hosting the CAF TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025 and the CAF TotalEnergies WAFCON Morocco 2024.”

Ghana’s Black Queens had secured qualification for the competition after missing out since 2018.

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