by Silas Boahene | Feb 16, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Soccer
In the latest FIFA-Coca Cola Men’s World Rankings unveiled on Thursday, February 15, 2024, Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, experienced a setback, dropping six places from 61st to 67th globally. This dip in the rankings places Ghana in the 14th position on the CAF rankings (Africa), with Cape Verde, South Africa, and DR Congo surpassing the four-time AFCON champions.
The decline is attributed to Ghana’s disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote D’Ivoire, where they had an early and dramatic exit. The Black Stars struggled in the group stage, failing to secure a victory in matches against Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique, ultimately exiting the competition after earning only two points from three games.
In contrast, the Super Eagles of Nigeria witnessed a significant ascent in the rankings, climbing 14 places. The three-time African champions now stand at the 28th position globally, securing the third spot in Africa. Ghana currently occupies the 14th position in the continental rankings.
Morocco claims the top spot as the highest-ranked country in Africa, followed by Senegal in second place. Egypt and Cote d’Ivoire round out the top five teams on the continent.
CĂ´te d’Ivoire’s impressive showing in the 2023 AFCON propelled them to the 39th position globally and the 5th spot in the CAF rankings.
The next edition of the FIFA-Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking is scheduled to be published on April 4.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 16, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian footballer and Charlton Athletic midfielder, Freda Ayisi, has earned a spot in the Black Queens squad for the critical penultimate round of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifier against Zambia. The 29-year-old player will be joining her teammates in preparations leading up to the anticipated clash scheduled for Friday, February 23, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Freda Ayisi’s football journey started at Arsenal, where she made an impact in her debut season by scoring against FC Kairat in the Champions League. Notably, she was part of the Arsenal squad that clinched the 2014 Women’s FA Cup. With experience playing for Birmingham Women’s FC and Leicester City, Ayisi eventually joined Charlton Athletic in 2022, emerging as a significant contributor to their pursuit of promotion to the English Women’s Premier League.
In a meeting with Black Queens coach Nora Häuptle in May 2023, Ayisi’s talent caught attention after a standout performance for Charlton, earning her a call-up to the Ghanaian national team. The squad, consisting of 23 players, includes notable names like Comfort Yeboah, Kerri McCarthy, Yakubu Firdaus, and Maafia Nyame.
Interestingly, goalkeeper Cynthia Findiib Konlan, a standout performer in the Olympic Games qualifiers and instrumental in securing qualification for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, is notably absent from the squad.
The Black Queens commenced the 2024 Olympic qualifiers impressively, recording a 7-0 aggregate victory over Guinea in July and a 5-0 aggregate triumph against Benin in October 2023. The players are set to begin their camp in Accra on Sunday, February 18, 2024.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 16, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Other Sports
African Games 2023 Kick Off with Table Tennis Thrills on March 3
Excitement is building for the highly anticipated African Games – Accra 2023, slated to commence action on March 3, 2024. The official opening ceremony is set to unfold on March 8, 2024, at the state-of-the-art University of Ghana Stadium in Accra, marking the start of the 13th African Games.
Running until March 23, 2024, this multisport spectacle will showcase athletic excellence, team spirit, and national pride across 29 sports. Notably, six sports, including E-Sports, Mixed Martial Arts, Pickleball, Scrabble, Sambo, and Speedball, will be featured as demonstration sports.
The sporting extravaganza kicks off with table tennis at the Borteyman Sports Complex on Sunday, March 3, 2024, serving as an Olympic qualifier and setting the stage for the entire tournament. Badminton, another Olympic qualifier, follows closely at the same venue starting a day later.
The Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) has unveiled a provisional squad of 12 players who will proudly represent the nation. The women’s team boasts talents like Cynthia Kwabi, Joanita Borteye, Celia Baah Danso, Eva Adom Amankwa, and Bernice B. Borquaye. The male team, led by players such as Felix Lartey, Emmanuel Commey, Samuel Akayede, Bernard Joe Sam, James Marfo, Israel Aklie, and Ernest Mawutor Quarcoo, will be trimmed down to a final selection of five.
Anticipation is high for the Black Bombers, Ghana’s boxing team, who are expected to shine in the ring at the Bukom Boxing Arena from March 15 to March 22.
Tennis enthusiasts can also look forward to intense battles at the Borteyman Sports Complex, where tennis events are scheduled to take place from March 16 to March 23, 2024.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 15, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Boxing, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Other Sports
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo officially launched the Borteyman Sports Complex, marking a momentous stride in Ghana’s preparations for the 13th African Games. The ceremony, signifying the initiation of the 25-day countdown to the prestigious sporting event, underscored Ghana’s dedication to hosting a world-class tournament.
The Borteyman Sports Complex, a shining testament to Ghana’s commitment to sports development, features state-of-the-art facilities designed to host seven competitive sports, including table tennis, handball, tennis, volleyball, swimming, badminton, and the triathlon. Remarkably, four of these disciplines—table tennis, tennis, triathlon, and badminton—will serve as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, adding an extra layer of excitement and significance to the event.
At the core of the complex is a 1,000-seater capacity aquatic center housing a 10-lane competition swimming pool and a 10-lane warm-up pool. Additionally, a versatile 1,000-seater multi-purpose Sports Hall is poised to host a myriad of events, while a temporary dome accommodating 500 spectators adds further flexibility to the venue. Tennis enthusiasts will be delighted by the five-court complex, featuring a prestigious 1,000-seater Centre Court.
The Borteyman Sports Complex also includes a six-lane warm-up athletics track and a FIFA-standard football training field, rounding out the impressive array of facilities, ensuring athletes have access to top-notch training and competition venues.
In his address, President Akufo-Addo lauded the efforts of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for their commitment and dedication to the organization and hosting of the Games. He urged them to spare no effort in ensuring a seamless and memorable experience for all participants and visitors.
“Fellow Ghanaians, as we approach the pinnacle of preparations for the African Games, I call upon the Minister of Youth & Sports and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to set new standards and deliver the best African Games in history,” the President emphasized.
Despite initial skepticism regarding Ghana’s hosting capabilities, President Akufo-Addo expressed confidence and pride in the Borteyman Sports Complex, viewing it as a lasting legacy for future generations and a symbol of Ghana’s readiness to host major continental events.
As the countdown to the 13th African Games continues, anticipation is mounting, and all eyes are on Ghana to orchestrate a memorable and successful tournament. With the unveiling of the Borteyman Sports Complex, Ghana is poised to showcase its hospitality, organizational prowess, and passion for sport on the continental stage.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 14, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
The Ghana Football Association has officially announced a change in venue for the Olympic Games qualifier between Ghana and Zambia. Originally slated to take place at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Friday, February 23, the match has been relocated to the Accra Sports Stadium.
The decision to shift the venue was prompted by scheduling conflicts, as three sanctioned high-profile games were set to occur at the Baba Yara Stadium within a three-day period. Medeama SC and Dreams FC are engaged in two CAF inter-club games on the weekend of February 23-25, 2024. Medeama SC will host Al Ahly in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Friday, February 23, while Dreams FC will face Club Africain on Sunday, February 25, 2024.
The Black Queens, having successfully advanced by eliminating Guinea and Benin in the previous rounds of the qualifying series, will now host the first leg encounter of the third round at the Accra Sports Stadium. The match is scheduled for a 5:00 pm kickoff.
This venue change ensures optimal scheduling and provides a suitable setting for the crucial Olympic Games qualifier between Ghana and Zambia.
