by Silas Boahene | May 15, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Togolese referee Aklesso Gnama has been appointed to officiate the opening match of the 2024 WAFU ‘B’ U-17 Boys Tournament between Ghana’s Black Starlets and Ivory Coast on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
The University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Accra will host the tournament from May 15–28, 2024. Group A includes Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Benin, while Group B comprises Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
The opening match is set to kick off at 4:00 p.m. at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium. Gnama will be assisted by compatriots Wassiou Tchamolla Ourotou and Burkina Faso’s Soma Issouf. The fourth official will be Awa Alphonsine Ornella Ilboudo, with LatrĂ©-Kayi Edzona Lawson-Hogban serving as the match commissioner.
Other officials for the opening match include:
- Issaka Boubacar – Referee Assessor (Niger)
- Boureima Boubacar – General Coordinator (Niger)
- Joseph Kwame Mintah – Technical Study Group (Ghana)
- Sannie Ibrahim Daara – Media Officer (Ghana)
- David Kofi Prince Pambo – Medical Officer (Ghana)
- Serge Innocent BAILLY – CAF Competitions (CĂ´te d’Ivoire).
by Silas Boahene | May 15, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Black Starlets head coach Laryea Kingston has finalized his squad for the upcoming WAFU Zone B U-17 Cup of Nations. Ghana aims to qualify for their first U-17 Africa Cup of Nations since their last appearance in 2017.
The team has been rigorously training at the Ghanaman Centre of Excellence in Prampram in preparation for the tournament, which starts on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Under Kingston’s leadership, the Black Starlets have engaged in several friendly matches against lower-tier teams and recently took part in the UEFA U-16 Invitational tournament in Volgograd, Russia. In this tournament, they faced a defeat against Russia but achieved victories over Serbia and Kazakhstan.
Ghana’s journey in the WAFU Zone B U-17 Cup of Nations begins with a match against Ivory Coast in Group A on Wednesday, followed by a game against Benin on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. The tournament is set to be held at the University of Ghana stadium.
by Silas Boahene | May 14, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International
Ghanaian boxer Duke Micah has taken to social media to dispute recent claims regarding his health following a TKO loss on Saturday night.
Micah, who had been inactive since a September 2020 defeat to John Riel Casimero, returned to the ring last Saturday in the Combat League tournament, where he suffered a TKO loss to Javon Campbell. Concerns arose about Micah’s well-being after the knockout, with some speculating about potential brain injury due to a punch to the back of the head.
Addressing the rumors on Facebook, Micah expressed frustration with Ghanaian journalists for allegedly spreading false information about him. He vehemently denied suffering from brain damage and urged caution in reporting such claims.
His trainer, Daniel Oko Odamtten, also defended Micah, sharing training photos to refute the notion of any injury.
Micah’s return to the ring after a long hiatus and his participation in a lesser-known event have raised questions about his career trajectory. Despite his denial of serious injury, uncertainties linger regarding his future in boxing, especially after consecutive losses by knockout.
The boxer’s journey continues amid ongoing scrutiny and speculation about his health and career prospects.
by Silas Boahene | May 14, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, International, Nigeria
Nigeria is gearing up to send six boxers to the second phase of qualification tournaments for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, set to be held in Bangkok, Thailand. Dapo Akinyele, the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), confirmed this development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Elite boxers from around the world will convene in Bangkok from May 23 to June 3 for the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers, with Nigeria’s focus primarily on female boxers. Akinyele highlighted the Federation’s strategy, indicating that they aim to secure berths for the Paris Games, with a planned lineup of four female and two male boxers. However, adjustments may be made to this plan, potentially reducing the total number to five, with three female and two male pugilists.
Emphasizing the importance of playing to Nigeria’s strengths, Akinyele expressed confidence in the country’s ability to secure spots at the 2024 Olympic Games. Nigeria’s representation in Bangkok will span various weight categories, including 50kg, 57kg, 66kg, 75kg, and +92kg.
Notably, during the first phase of Olympic Games Boxing Qualifiers held in Italy, none of the 67 African contenders managed to secure an Olympic slot. Beyond boxing, Team Nigeria will compete in a range of sports at the Paris Games, including athletics, badminton, female basketball, female football, table tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling.
by Silas Boahene | May 14, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International, USA
Joseph Awinongya Sr., a Ghanaian professional boxing trainer based in the USA, has called upon the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) to organize regular tournaments for young boxers in Ghana, emphasizing the need for sustained opportunities for them to excel in the sport.
Despite Ghana’s rich boxing history, exemplified by legends like Azumah Nelson and Richard Commey, the nation has encountered challenges in producing world-class contenders in recent years, despite efforts from fighters like Isaac Dogboe and Joseph Agbeko. Awinongya believes that boxing, once a source of national pride, has been neglected to the point where it struggles to maintain its former dominance.
In an interview with Edward King Akuffo on Atinka TV, Awinongya urged the GBA to invest in grassroots boxing development, taking inspiration from the American model to identify and nurture young talents. He highlighted the importance of providing regular opportunities for young boxers to compete and gain experience, citing the American approach of selecting boxers randomly to assess their skills and arranging international fights for exposure.
Drawing from his own experiences training his son Joseph, who has accumulated significant fight experience at a young age, Awinongya emphasized the value of consistent competition and quality training in shaping successful boxers. He stressed that with proper guidance and support, young boxers in Ghana can thrive in the sport.
Awinongya, known for training notable boxers like IBO International Middleweight champion Osumanu Adama, has established a boxing gym in the USA for fighters from Ghana to train, aiming to provide them with opportunities free from exploitation by unscrupulous managers and promoters.
