by Silas Boahene | Jun 13, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Ghana
President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, launched the third edition of the Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon on Tuesday, set for Saturday, August 3rd, 2024.
He commended the organizers, Medivents Consult, for their initiative in promoting healthy living and providing opportunities for long-distance athletes. Nunoo Mensah encouraged residents of the Greater Accra Region to participate in the event, which promotes the Homowo Festival and tourism, offering attractive prizes for winners.
The GOC President also acknowledged the sponsors, including Serene Insurance, Healthy Life, Ethiopia Airlines, Indomie, GWO Sevo, Parin Africa Ltd, Allied Consortiums, Luex, and others for their support.
Nunoo Mensah highlighted the benefits of such events for the sports media and the athletes, citing examples like William Amponsah, who is likely to qualify for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris 2024. He mentioned that six athletes have already qualified for Paris and expressed hope for more qualifiers.
He revealed his connection to the Ga State and the Abola royal family, expressing a desire to showcase their culture and traditions during the event. He encouraged widespread participation and wished for a successful 2024 Accra Inter-City Homowo Marathon.
An official from GWO Sevo briefed the media on the registration process, stating that participants can register using any phone with Momo credit by dialing 38021#.
Mr. Senyo Penni, GM of Medivents, announced that preparations for the marathon, approved by the Ga Traditional Council, are advanced, with enhanced prizes, security, ambulance services, water points, volunteers, and other services in place.
He invited sportsmen and women from various disciplines to join the race, socialize, and make new friends.
Mr. Willie Ezah, a media practitioner with the GNA and CEO of Medivents, promised an exciting marathon, starting from the Accra Sports Stadium and ending at the Trust Sports Emporium (Bukom Boxing Arena). He also announced a two-day expo at the Accra Sports Stadium for sponsors to exhibit their products and services.
The launch was attended by Mr. Albert Frimpong, President of Africa Baseball & Softball and an executive board member of the GOC, along with the enthusiastic Die Hard Supporters.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 13, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has reiterated his responsibility to Ghana’s National Men’s Football Team in response to questions about Andre Dede Ayew’s absence from the squad.
In his first official matches since being appointed head coach, Addo left Dede Ayew out of his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR).
In his post-game press conference after the CAR match, Addo emphasized that the decision to drop Dede Ayew was his own. He made this statement in the presence of Dede Ayew’s brother, Jordan Ayew.
“Let me talk for Jordan, it’s his brother. Surely, he wants him to be next to him but it’s my decision. Surely, as a brother, he would like him to be next to him, but I have a responsibility to the national team, to Ghana, and I have to decide what is best for the team,” Addo explained.
The group leader at the end of the 10-game qualification phase qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 13, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council Member Eugene Nobel Noel stated that the Black Stars have more room for improvement following their 4-3 win over the Central African Republic (CAR) at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. In an exclusive interview with Citi Sports, Noel emphasized the need for further development despite the victory.
Ghana forward Jordan Ayew scored a hat trick in the match, marking the first for a Black Stars player since 2017. This win, coupled with a previous 2-1 victory over Mali, places Ghana at the top of Group I in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with nine points.
“It was a very difficult and cagey encounter, and I think the team defied all of them. Nonetheless, we still have much to do because looking at the performance yesterday, there is much more room for improvement. There are one or two areas that the coach must look at and improve, but generally, I liked the performance of the team,” Noel stated.
In related news, Black Stars head coach Otto Addo indirectly criticized the poor state of the Baba Yara Stadium pitch after the win over CAR. Despite the victory, Ghana struggled with their passing game on the bumpy surface, which has been a point of concern.
In his post-game interview, Addo noted that light showers in the second half improved the team’s performance. “The rain helped us to play faster, to have control, and play fast balls. So thank you to God for letting it rain. It was really, really good for our players, and thank you to Kumasi for always supporting us.”
GFA Executive Council member Eugene Nobel Noel also called for the provision of hybrid pitches at various stadia to enhance the playing conditions.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 13, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo took an indirect dig at the poor state of the Baba Yara Stadium pitch following Ghana’s thrilling 4-3 win over the Central African Republic (CAR) in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Kumasi. Striker Jordan Ayew scored a hat trick, securing Ghana’s third win four games into the 10-game qualification phase.
Ghana struggled with its passing game on the bumpy surface, which came under scrutiny after Black Stars captain Thomas Partey urged Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, to develop the stadium.
In his post-game interview, Addo noted that light showers in the second half aided his team’s improved performance, ultimately helping Ghana clinch the win.
“The rain helped us to play faster, to have control, and play fast balls. So thank you to God for letting it rain. It was really, really good for our players, and thank you to Kumasi for always supporting us.”
In a related development, GFA Executive Council member Eugene Nobel Noel has called for the provision of hybrid pitches at various stadia.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 13, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Black Stars forward Jordan Ayew admitted that he has been playing out of position for some time with Ghana’s National Men’s Football Team. He made this admission in his post-game interview after scoring a hat trick in Ghana’s 4-3 victory over the Central African Republic in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
Against C.A.R., Ayew was deployed as the lead central attacker rather than as a wing forward, a position he had frequently played in previous games. His goals were crucial in mounting a comeback from a 2-1 deficit to clinch the win, earning him significant praise from Black Stars head coach Otto Addo.
Ayew also scored the winning goal in Ghana’s 2-1 win over Mali in a previous World Cup qualifier.
“To be honest, I’ve been playing out of position for quite some time in the national team…but it’s not a problem for me because I just want to play football, but I’ve never complained or anything like that,” Ayew stated.
“God’s time is the best and in life you never have to give up. You just have to be patient, keep on working, and believe in yourself, and things will turn out positive.”
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