by Silas Boahene | Jul 31, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
FC Samartex will host their home matches in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League at the Accra Sports Stadium, following approval from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The Samreboi-based team, which previously played their Premier League games at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, could not use the venue for inter-club competitions due to CAF’s disapproval.
Samartex will face Victoria United Football Club in Cameroon on August 16, with the second leg scheduled for August 25 in Accra. This marks their debut in African competitions after winning the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League title.
To bolster their squad ahead of the tie, the club has recruited new players, including Kofi Agbesimah and Baba Kushibo.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 31, 2024 | Africa, Europe, International, Other Sports
Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez revealed she was seven months pregnant while competing at the Paris Olympics, where she triumphed over a US opponent. The 26-year-old athlete was eliminated in the last 16, after which she shared an emotional message on Instagram expressing her pride in competing during her final trimester.
“What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three! It was me, my competitor, and my yet-to-come baby,” Hafez wrote.
“My baby and I faced numerous challenges, both physical and emotional. The rollercoaster of pregnancy is tough on its own, but balancing life and sports was incredibly strenuous, though entirely worth it. I’m writing this post to say that pride fills my being for securing my place in the Round of 16! I’m lucky to have shared the trust of my husband and that of my family to be able to come this far.”
Hafez defeated American fencer Elizabeth Tartakovsky before being bested by Jeon Hayoung of South Korea.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 31, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club Executive Board Chairman Togbe Afede XIV expressed optimism about the club’s future, citing strategic investments made by the management and board. Speaking to the media after receiving the handing over documents for Hearts’ new commercial center, he assured stakeholders of positive developments for the Phobia Club.
Board members Vincent Sowah-Odotei and Akwasi Agyemang attended the inspection and handing over ceremony. Togbe Afede confidently spoke about the club’s commitment to building a strong football squad and promised that better days lie ahead for Hearts of Oak.
“I want to assure all of our stakeholders that this is just the beginning. Great things will happen for Accra Hearts of Oak.”
Hearts of Oak finished 14th in the 18-team league standings in the 2023-2024 Ghana Premier League season, following a 12th-place finish in the previous campaign.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 31, 2024 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Nigeria’s campaign at the 2024 Olympics has been hit by controversy as sprint medal hopeful Favour Ofili has been excluded from the Women’s 100 Metres event. Despite qualifying, the Louisiana State University athlete announced on Instagram that the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) and Athletics Federation of Nigeria failed to register her for the competition.
Ofili, who has previously won gold and silver in the Women’s 4×400 Relay and 400 Metres event at the 2019 African Games in Morocco, expressed her frustration, noting this was not the first time such an oversight occurred. She also missed the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to a failure by Nigerian authorities to release funds for necessary testing of US-based athletes.
This incident follows other organizational issues, such as Nigeria’s Women’s Basketball Team being turned away from the opening ceremony boat ride due to overcapacity. Ofili, now set to compete in the Women’s 200 Metres, lamented her ordeal in her social media post.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 31, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Europe, Ghana, International, Other Sports
Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, has addressed Ghana’s participation in the 2024 Olympics. He emphasized the significance of the event for Ghanaian athletes and highlighted the nation’s commitment to supporting its competitors. Mensah also discussed the challenges and preparations leading up to the Games, expressing hope for improved performances and a stronger presence in future Olympic competitions.
