Category: Sports

Accra: The much-anticipated J.A Kufuor Cup between premier league giants Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman FC is set to be unveiled on Tuesday, 13th February 2024.

The match organised by the John A. Kufuor (JAK) Foundation is to honour the profound legacy of the former President and also climax his 85th birthday celebration.

The ceremony is expected to take place at the residence of the former President at Peduase before the main event in Kumasi.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA), Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) and other associations have all pledged their support to make this year’s competition a memorable one.

The match would take place on Sunday, February 18,2024 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Source: Ghana News Agency

By Biwah Bryan

From a rocky start to an incredible finish, the Elephants of Ivory Coast overcame a deficit in the finals, beat Nigeria 2-1 to win the 2023 AFCON title.

Ivory Coast had a cheeky start, but found themselves trailing after Nigeria’s captain William Troost netted a header early in the second half to serve Nigeria a 1-0 lead.

With a few substitutes, Ivory Coast came knocking and found an equalizer in the 62nd minute when Frank Kessie returned the favor to Nigeria with a header from a corner kick.

Buoyed by the equalizer, Ivory Coast continued to attack and finally found their winning goal courtesy of a Sebastien Haller strike after he was brilliantly set up by Simon Adingra’s pass.

This victory marks Ivory Coast’s third AFCON title and makes them the first home country to win the title since Egypt in 2006.

Their victory is an achievement for a team who were on the brink of elimination in the group stage after suffering a humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea.

Source: Cameroon News Agenc
y

By Biwah Bryan

From a rocky start to an incredible finish, the Elephants of Ivory Coast overcame a deficit in the finals, beat Nigeria 2-1 to win the 2023 AFCON title.

Ivory Coast had a cheeky start, but found themselves trailing after Nigeria’s captain William Troost netted a header early in the second half to serve Nigeria a 1-0 lead.

With a few substitutes, Ivory Coast came knocking and found an equalizer in the 62nd minute when Frank Kessie returned the favor to Nigeria with a header from a corner kick.

Buoyed by the equalizer, Ivory Coast continued to attack and finally found their winning goal courtesy of a Sebastien Haller strike after he was brilliantly set up by Simon Adingra’s pass.

This victory marks Ivory Coast’s third AFCON title and makes them the first home country to win the title since Egypt in 2006.

Their victory is an achievement for a team who were on the brink of elimination in the group stage after suffering a humiliating 4-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea.

Source: Cameroon News Agenc
y

Accra: The Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) has given member countries a total of $540, 000 to prepare for the 13th African Games scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana.

Ghana would from March 8-23, host the continent with over 13, 000 visitors coming in as athletes, officials, and tourists.

The ANOCA as per their mandate has supported each of the 54 member countries with a grant of $10,000 each to support them in the preparations for the Games.

Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) who mentioned this to the GNA Sports, said Ghana’s share of the grant would be handed over to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for onward presentation to the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to offset bills related to the Games.

Sports codes for the games have been categorized into three groups namely Olympic qualifying sports, non-Olympic qualifying sports, and Demonstration Sports.

The Olympic qualifying sports are athletics, badminton, cycling, swimming, table ten
nis, tennis, triathlon, and wrestling.

The sports codes that would be competitive but not an Olympic qualifying event are armwrestling, beach volleyball, basketball (3×3), boxing, chess, cricket, football, handball, hockey, judo, karate-do, rugby, taekwondo, indoor volleyball, and weightlifting.

Meanwhile, mixed martial arts, pickleball, speedball, sambo, scrabble, and e-sports would also be played as demonstration sports.

Venues earmarked for the games include Accra Sports Stadium, Borteyman Sports Complex, The Trust Emporium (Bukom Boxing Arena), Laboma Beach,

Achimota Cricket Oval, University of Ghana Sports Stadium, Cape Coast Stadium Alisa Hotel, and Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Cameroon will be hosting the 2024 edition of the African Athletics Championship in Douala come June 2024.

The historic decision was unanimously reached during the Confederation of African Athletics Council meeting held in Lusaka, Zambia, in April 2023.

Following the footsteps of Mauritius in 2022, Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, has been selected to host the 23rd edition of Africa’s premier athletics competition from June 15th to 25th, 2024.

The choice of Douala, often referred to as the ‘city of sunshine,’ by the Confederation of African Athletics, stems from its cosmopolitan nature and the strategic location of the iconic Réunification Stadium at the heart of the city. Also considering the proximity of the competition venue to several international standard hotels and healthcare facilities.

With athletes of African origin who represent 40 to 45% of the global athletics elite set to compete, the championship will be taking place just a month before the Paris Olympics, scheduled for July-August
2024.

The 2024 African Athletics Championship DOUALA 2024 is expected to garner participation from 54 countries, over 3,500 visitors including athletes, administrators, medical personnel, technical officials, and journalists.

Cameroon was originally designated to host the 2022 African Athletics Championship in Douala, but was stripped of its hosting rights after delays in confirming the proposed date by the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA).

Cameroon’s previous opportunity to host the prestigious event was would have marked the country’s second time hosting. The first instance was in 1996 during the 10th edition held from June 13 to 16 at the Yaounde Omnisports Stadium. The decision for Cameroon to host the 2022 edition was made during a meeting of the CAA on September 24, 2019. in Doha.

The Réunification Stadium of Bepanda-Douala is perceived as the ideal venue to participate in and witness the 24th African Athletics Championship, promising an unforgettable experience for athletes, officials, and
spectators alike.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

President Paul Biya assured youths and football lovers in his 2024 Youth Day address that measures will be taken to resolve the inadequacies that the senior national team is currently facing.

The Head of State expressed disappointment in Cameroon’s early elimination from the AFCON 2023.

‘Like me, you were certainly disappointed by the early elimination of our Indomitable Lions from the ongoing Africa Cup Nations in Côte d’Ivoire’ he said.

The President acknowledged that ‘victory does not happen by chance’. He noted that ‘it requires not only talent, but also courage, discipline, organization and hard work.’

Coach Rigobert Song is considered to have failed to build a cohesive team since his appointed as coach of the Indomitable Lions two years ago.

In the ongoing AFCON, his omission of players like Choupo Moting, Fai Collins and benching of others like Andre Onana, Clinton Njie and Vincent Aboubaker when the captain was fit to play after recovering from an injury, raised questions about his competence.

‘
I am aware of the importance of football to you’ President Paul Biya said. ‘In our difficult context, the State is making enormous financial sacrifices in that connection, and is therefore entitled to require better organization and results.’

‘We will see to it’ he indicated. ‘The government and particularly the ministry in charge of sports have received clear instructions in that regard’ the President added.

He quoted Francis Ngannou as an example, saying the MMA fighter represents hard work, courage and discipline.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

For the first time ever, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana clinched the bronze medal in the 2023 AFCON after defeating DR Congo 6-5 on penalties in the 3rd place classification match.

Both sides squandered several goal-scoring opportunities during open play and settled for a draw after regular play before moving to penalties where goalkeeper Ronwen Williams stepped up to make two crucial saves and secure the win for South Africa.

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast AFCON Final preview

The much-anticipated AFCON final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast marks the eighth time these teams are locking horns at the tournament, with a record of three wins for Nigeria, two for Ivory Coast, and two draws.

Ivory Coast’s has had a not-so-jolly ride to the knockouts, requiring extra-time and penalties to secure their place in the final against Senegal and DR Congo, respectively.

However, they have managed to make it to the final under interim coach Emerse Faé, making them the first host nation to do so since Egypt in 2006.

In contrast,
Nigeria has looked a strong contender from the get-go, relying on their solid defence to make it this far, conceding only two goals in six matches (excluding penalties).

While they may not have blown anyone away, their steady progress and consistency make them a formidable opponent in the upcoming final.

In a nutshell, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will be in search of a fourth AFCON title after having played the finals 7 times while Ivory Coast will be looking to add a 3rd title after featuring in the finals 4 times excluding the current edition.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

For the first time ever, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana clinched the bronze medal in the 2023 AFCON after defeating DR Congo 6-5 on penalties in the 3rd place classification match.

Both sides squandered several goal-scoring opportunities during open play and settled for a draw after regular play before moving to penalties where goalkeeper Ronwen Williams stepped up to make two crucial saves and secure the win for South Africa.

Nigeria vs Ivory Coast AFCON Final preview

The much-anticipated AFCON final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast marks the eighth time these teams are locking horns at the tournament, with a record of three wins for Nigeria, two for Ivory Coast, and two draws.

Ivory Coast’s has had a not-so-jolly ride to the knockouts, requiring extra-time and penalties to secure their place in the final against Senegal and DR Congo, respectively.

However, they have managed to make it to the final under interim coach Emerse Faé, making them the first host nation to do so since Egypt in 2006.

In contrast,
Nigeria has looked a strong contender from the get-go, relying on their solid defence to make it this far, conceding only two goals in six matches (excluding penalties).

While they may not have blown anyone away, their steady progress and consistency make them a formidable opponent in the upcoming final.

In a nutshell, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will be in search of a fourth AFCON title after having played the finals 7 times while Ivory Coast will be looking to add a 3rd title after featuring in the finals 4 times excluding the current edition.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Mr. Johnson Kwame Otoo, Executive Producer of Afro Fit National Fitness Series 2024, has called on Ghanaians to ensure that they stay healthy and live in an atmosphere of peace ahead of election 2024.

He noted that the country could enjoy peaceful election only if the citizenry adhered to peace messages and their status of health became paramount to them.

Mr. Otoo made the call at the end of this year’s fitness walk which ended at the Accra Sports Stadium.

About 500 placard-bearing walkers participated in the walk dubbed ‘Afro Fit 2024’ which was an initiative to engineer, and to inspire mentally and physically.

It started from the Accra Sports Stadium through some principal streets of the city and ended at the starting point.

Inscriptions on some of the placards were ‘Embrace Wellness, embrace life’, Keep fit, your only limit’, and ‘Celebrate every small victory in your fitness journey’.

Mr. Otoo said exercising everyday makes one healthy and also inspired one to stay healthy.

He said ‘Fit for Ghana’
would hold series of walks which was aimed at drumming the message of peace across the country.

The Executive Producer said the message of living a healthy lifestyle would be extended to the Accra Psychiatric Hospital and the Cardiothoracic Centre of the Korlebu Teaching Hospital and also tour all the regions with the message of peace.

‘We are doing all these to inspire a healthy lifestyle and also ensure that peace prevails before, during and after e lection 2024,’ Mr Otoo added.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Ghana Premier League giants Accra Hearts of Oak have announced the appointment of Ivorian Aboubakar Ouattara as the substantive Head Coach of the club.

Following the sacking of Dutch tactician Martin Koopman back in November 2023, the Phobians have been without a substantive gaffer as they have struggled in the first half of the season.

A club statement released on Friday, February 9, 2024, said that Aboubakar Ouattara, who holds a CAF Licence A coaching certificate, had signed a two-and-half-year contract with the club.

‘Coach Ouattara has signed a two-half contract with the club and is expected to start training next week when the team returns from this weekend’s friendly game against Techiman Eleven Wonders.

‘Coach Ouattara has worked and achieved success in several African countries both as a coach and Technical Director. He worked as the Technical Director for Moroccan giants WAC between 2017-2023 helping them win the CAF Champions League twice,’ the statement said.

The Ivorian gaffer has also won d
omestic titles with TP Mazembe and ASV of RDC. Hearts of Oak also announced Mr. Delali Anku-Adimah as the club’s new Managing Director with immediate effect.

A statement from the club said Mr Anku-Adimah had attained high educational qualifications, including a PHD in Computational System Biology from the University of Manchester, UK and a BSc in Computer Science with Business Management from the University of Birmingham, among many others.

‘We implore all Phobians to offer him maximum support during his stay at the club to lead us to achieving preeminence,’ the statement concluded.

Source: Ghana News Agency

All is set for the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, to commission the Borteyman Sports Complex, on Tuesday, February 13.

The Borteyman Sports Complex is the newly built multipurpose sports facility for the 13th Africa Games scheduled to take place from March 8-23.

With less than 30 days to the official opening ceremony of the Games, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) headed by Dr Kwaku Ofosu Asare are working round the clock to make sure Ghana hosts a memorable event as this is the first Ghana is having the opportunity to host the continental games.

The President’s commissioning would pave the way for the use of the facility by the various sports codes for training before the commencement of the Games.

There would be a test run of the swimming, tennis, athletics, and handball venues to assess its readiness for the games.

According to the Technical Handbook issued by the LOC, the $154 million built facility would be the venue for swimming, handball, badminton, table tennis, tennis, indoor volley
ball, and triathlon.

Ghana is expecting more than 13,000 visitors from across the continent to participate and witness the ground-breaking continental showpiece in Accra.

Source: Ghana News Agency