by Silas Boahene | May 23, 2024 | Africa, Europe, International, Soccer
France’s sports minister has called for severe sanctions against Mohamed Camara and AS Monaco after the midfielder obscured anti-homophobia messages on his shirt.
During the weekend, all Ligue 1 clubs wore campaign logos promoting anti-homophobia, with the competition’s emblem also featuring rainbow colors as part of an initiative by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), which oversees the top two tiers of French football.
In Monaco’s 4-0 victory over Nantes on Sunday, in which the 24-year-old Camara scored a penalty, he placed white tape over the logo on his chest and covered the league’s rainbow badge on his sleeve.
“This behavior is unacceptable,” sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera stated on French radio station RTL on Monday. “I had the chance to tell the LFP what I thought about it, and I believe such actions must result in the strongest sanctions against the player and the club that allowed it.”
The LFP informed BBC Sport Africa that it is investigating the incident.
Monaco coach Adi Hutter addressed Camara’s actions following the win over Nantes. “First of all, I would like to say that we, as a club, support the operation organized by the league,” he said, referring to the initiative. “As for Camara, it was a personal initiative. There will be an internal discussion with him about this situation. I will not comment further.”
Camara participated in two matches for Mali at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, where the Eagles exited in the quarter-finals.
by Silas Boahene | May 23, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
The youth of Axim have voiced their frustration with local leaders over the prolonged delay in completing the Sports Complex.
The project, initiated in 2018 by then Sports Minister Hon. Isaac Asiamah, aimed to provide an ultramodern sports facility for the community. However, the complex remains unfinished and inaccessible to the public, prompting dissatisfaction among the youth.
Jonas Kabutey, the Speaker for the Youth of Axim, conveyed their ultimatum, demanding the completion and handover of the facility within two months. Should this deadline be missed, the youth plan to take matters into their own hands and utilize the incomplete complex.
“We have not been treated fairly. The construction of the stadium has taken 7 years and it is still not ready. We are giving authorities the next two months; if we don’t see any progress, we will take over the facility and use it ourselves,” Kabutey stated in an interview with Connect FM.
The delay has hindered sports development in Axim, a significant concern for the local youth. The Western Region currently lacks a suitable stadium for hosting Premier League matches, with the Esipon Stadium also undergoing indefinite refurbishment.
The completion of the Axim Sports Complex is expected to provide a FIFA standard playing field, restaurant, ICT laboratory, and other facilities, greatly benefiting the local community.
by Silas Boahene | May 22, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced June 8, 2024, as the date for the Women’s FA Cup and the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League 2023/24 season finals, to be held in an exciting double header at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon.
The stage is now prepared for a thrilling women’s football showdown, with Army Ladies set to face Police Ladies in an all-service ‘Teams’ final. Army Ladies FC secured their spot in the Women’s FA Cup final with a 2-1 victory against Epiphany Warriors, while Police Ladies FC advanced by defeating Supreme Ladies FC 3-1 in the semi-finals.
In addition to the Women’s FA Cup final, the run-off final of the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League will determine the overall league champion. This match will feature the winners of the Northern Zone and Southern Zone.
Last season’s finale in Kumasi saw Ampem Darkoa emerge victorious, defeating Hasaacas Ladies 5-3 on penalties at the Kwame Kyei Sports Complex for a second consecutive title.
Hasaacas Ladies FC holds the record for most league titles, with four to their name. They secured three consecutive titles in the 2012/13, 2013/14, and 2014/15 Premier League seasons. In the 2020–21 season, the “Doo Ladies” clinched their fourth Premier League title by defeating rivals Ampem Darkoa 4-0.
by Silas Boahene | May 22, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International, Nigeria
Accra-based Nigerian lightweight boxer Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab, known as “The Wealth Machine,” lost his chance to win the WBC Silver lightweight title after being knocked out in the first round by undefeated British fighter Mark “The Thunder” Chamberlain on May 17, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The bout was part of the undercard for the highly anticipated undisputed heavyweight championship between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, dubbed “Ring Fire.”
Following this defeat, Wahab’s record stands at 25-2-0 with 16 KOs, while Chamberlain’s record improves to 16-0-0 with 12 KOs. Wahab was coached by Charles Quartey and his team, with assistant trainer Ernest Ofori expressing pride in Wahab’s efforts despite the loss, stating, “His spirit was down, but my head was held high as Seunzy Wahab made West Africa proud.”
On social media, Wahab addressed his supporters: “Alhamdulillah. To all my lovely African brothers and sisters who supported me throughout this fight, I say a BIG SORRY for not making you proud as I had wanted. I got caught with a clean shot and didn’t recover before the final knockdown. But I’m a fighter with a lion’s heart and, with your continuous support, I will bounce back stronger. Thank you to my opponent Mark Chamberlain for this opportunity. I am forever grateful. May God bless us all.”
by Silas Boahene | May 22, 2024 | Africa, International, Soccer
Zamalek SC secured their second CAF Confederation Cup title by defeating Moroccan side RS Berkane 1-0 in the final’s second leg at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday.
Midfielder Ahmed Hamdi scored the decisive goal in the 23rd minute with a perfectly placed shot, ensuring victory for Zamalek. Despite a 2-1 loss in the first leg in Morocco, the White Knights won the title on away goals with a final aggregate score of 2-2.
This triumph marks Zamalek’s second Confederation Cup victory, having previously won against Berkane in 2019. The match began intensely, with Zamalek creating several early chances, but Nabil Emad and Ibrahima Ndiaye were unable to convert.
Hamdi’s goal provided a crucial lead, but he had to be substituted in the first half due to a knee injury. His replacement, Youssef Obama, missed a significant opportunity to extend the lead before halftime. In the second half, Zamalek continued to dominate, with Seifeddine Jaziri nearly scoring with a header.
RS Berkane struggled to break through Zamalek’s solid defense, and despite controlling the midfield, they couldn’t create significant threats. In the final moments, Berkane defender Hamza El Moussaoui received a red card for a harsh tackle on Ahmed Sayed Zizo, sealing Zamalek’s victory.
