by Silas Boahene | Apr 4, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
The emergence of 18-year-old Abdul Aziz Issah has captured attention during Dreams FC’s impressive CAF Confederation Cup campaign, where they stand on the brink of reaching the semifinals.
Issah’s stellar performances, yielding 4 goals and 2 assists in the competition, have earned lavish praise from his Head Coach, Abdul-Karim Zito, who boldly draws comparisons with the legendary Abedi Ayew Pele.
Zito asserts that Issah surpasses Abedi Pele’s prowess at the same age, citing, “Abedi Pele was introduced to Aburi at 17, yet at 18, he didn’t exhibit the level of performance Aziz demonstrates.”
Additionally, Zito advocates for Issah’s inclusion in the Black Stars, emphasizing that it’s long overdue, stating, “If I were with the Black Stars, I’d summon him.”
At 18, Abedi Ayew had amassed 46 appearances for Real Tamale United, with 21 goals to his credit. He was also a crucial member of Ghana’s 1982 AFCON-winning squad.
Meanwhile, Aziz Issah, functioning as an attacking midfielder, has notched 11 goals and 4 assists across all competitions for Dreams FC this season. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the Black Satellites’ gold-winning campaign at the African Games.
by Silas Boahene | Apr 4, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Athletic Bilbao’s forward, Inaki Williams, affirms that opting to play for Ghana has led him to the pinnacle of his career, and he stands by his decision without any remorse.
Born in Bilbao to Ghanaian parents, the 29-year-old initially represented Spain at the Under-21 level and had a solitary senior squad appearance in a friendly against Bosnia in 2016.
Inaki switched allegiance to represent the Black Stars in August 2022, making his debut for the national team a month later. Despite criticism from some quarters due to his modest performance, having made 17 appearances and scoring once for Ghana, Inaki maintains his conviction.
Reflecting on his decision, he expressed, “I never anticipated this outcome. I had to make a choice, and I’m content with representing my parents’ country, reconnecting with my roots, and having the opportunity to visit Ghana to be with my loved ones.” He further added, “Though things haven’t unfolded as we all hoped, both personally and professionally, it has been immensely beneficial. In fact, I believe I’m experiencing one of my career peaks because of this decision.”
Despite his challenges with the Ghanaian team, Inaki remains in stellar form for Bilbao, boasting 11 goals and five assists in 31 appearances across various competitions while operating predominantly on the wings.
by Silas Boahene | Apr 4, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, International
Rabab Cheddar, a Moroccan flyweight boxer, is pushing her limits in pursuit of her Olympic dream, despite the challenges of training during the holy month of Ramadan, where fasting from sunrise to sunset is observed.
“I prepare as usual,” says Cheddar, as sweat drips from her face during practice in a weathered gym in Casablanca. “During Ramadan, I train before and after breaking fast to remain fully prepared for any national team call-ups.”
Despite the obstacles, Cheddar remains steadfast. “My chances of Olympic qualification are high,” she says confidently. “I’ll be participating in the Mandela African Boxing Cup in South Africa, which serves as preparation for the Olympic Games qualifications in Thailand.”
After sunset, Cheddar returns home to share iftar with her family. “Ramadan is an opportunity for athletes like us to refocus and seek fulfillment through prayer,” she reflects. “It’s a spiritual retreat for us, a time to connect with our faith and renew our dedication to our goals.”
by Silas Boahene | Apr 3, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Bofoakwa Tano, Legon Cities & Nsoatreman Advance to 2024 MTN FA Cup Semifinals
The 2024 MTN FA Cup has reached an exciting stage as three teams have secured their spots in the semifinals, while defending champions Dreams FC and Soccer Intellectuals await their fate until April 17, 2024.
Bofoakwa Tano, Legon Cities, and Nsoatreman FC, all premier division clubs, emerged victorious from the quarterfinals, showcasing their resilience and skill in thrilling encounters.
Bofoakwa Tano’s journey to the semifinals was marked by a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Skyy FC. After a 1-1 draw in regulation time, with Elisha Addai opening the scoring for Bofoakwa Tano and Andrews Cobbinah equalizing for Skyy FC, Bofoakwa Tano sealed their spot in the semis with a 5-4 win on penalties. They now await the winner of the forthcoming clash between Dreams FC and Soccer Intellectuals.
Meanwhile, Legon Cities secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Bechem United, propelling them into the semifinals. Their solitary goal proved decisive, setting up a showdown with Nsoatreman FC in the next round.
With the semifinal pairings confirmed, anticipation is high for the upcoming matches. Bofoakwa Tano aims to continue their impressive form against the victor of the Dreams FC vs. Soccer Intellectuals fixture, while Legon Cities seeks to extend their cup run against Nsoatreman FC.
Mark your calendars for the semifinals scheduled from May 10-13, 2024, with the grand final of the MTN FA Cup set to take place on June 23/24, 2024.
by Silas Boahene | Apr 3, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Ghana, International
Ghana’s 4x100m men’s relay team has successfully clinched a berth at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, having secured the 15th position in the latest rankings. With 16 slots available for the event based on the top list ranking, the team’s qualification marks a significant achievement in their journey towards the prestigious games.
During the qualification period spanning from December 31, 2022, to June 30, 2024, Ghana’s relay team managed to meet the criteria for participation, signaling their readiness to compete on the global stage. However, they face the challenge of either improving their performance or hoping that no other team achieves a better time to surpass them.
In addition to the relay team’s qualification, other Ghanaian athletes are also on track to represent their country in Paris. High jumper Rose Yeboah, who clinched the top spot at the 13th African Games and triumphed at the World University Games, is poised to compete if she maintains her current ranking. With a personal best of 1.94m, Yeboah’s presence promises to add to Ghana’s medal prospects.
Furthermore, swimmer Abeiku Jackson, along with another talented swimmer, is set to grace the Paris Games. Ghana has been granted a wild card entry, continuing a streak that began since the Rio 2016 Olympics. This opportunity underscores Ghana’s commitment to showcasing its talent and prowess on the Olympic stage.
