by Silas Boahene | Jan 30, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Ghana, International, Other Sports
Nana Adu Mankatta, the President of Sports For All Ghana (Keep Fit) and a member of the Sub Committee of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 13th African Games, has revealed that several Sports Federations have commenced their training camps in Cape Coast.
He emphasized the suitability of the camping facilities, highlighting that athletes and officials are accommodated in some of the finest hotels. Mankatta disclosed that approximately eight federations, including Boxing and Athletics, are fully prepared and dedicated to securing medals at the upcoming Games.
Expressing gratitude, he acknowledged the support of Chef Du Mission, Mr. Ernest Danso, and Mrs. Farida Alhassan in effectively managing the athletes during their camp.
Nana Mankatta, also known as Mr. Owusu Ansah, acknowledged that while athletes were not called to camp three months prior to the Games, the current one and a half months preparation period is deemed sufficient. He mentioned the athletes’ positive response to the daily keep-fit exercises organized for them, emphasizing the high spirits and happiness prevalent among the sportsmen and women.
“I am very hopeful that Ghana will perform admirably at the Games,” he affirmed.
by Silas Boahene | Jan 30, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International
Alfred Lamptey, renowned as the ‘Bukom Bomber,’ along with his trainer Ebenezer Adjei, is set to depart from Accra, Ghana, this Saturday for Johannesburg, South Africa. Their journey marks the beginning of an extensive training camp ahead of their scheduled bout on March 2, 2024, in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The team is slated to undergo rigorous training at the Hot Box Gym in Johannesburg, guided by the expertise of Colin Nathan, a highly accomplished world champion trainer. This training regimen is planned for the next four weeks, after which the team will transition to Dubai, concluding their preparations at Round 10 Boxing Gym to ensure peak readiness for the Abu Dhabi fight.
Alfred Lamptey, a multiple-title holder at Super Featherweight, is making the move up to Lightweight for this upcoming challenge. His opponent, French Super Featherweight Jaouad Belmehdi, is also stepping up to the Lightweight division for the anticipated showdown.
The event is being promoted by AAM Seddiqi Sports under the patronage of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Ministry, promising an exciting and highly competitive boxing spectacle.
by Silas Boahene | Jan 30, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, International, Soccer
As the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) approaches its climax in Ivory Coast, speculations abound regarding the potential winner, with football powerhouses like Morocco and Senegal vying for the title. However, a noteworthy trend has emerged – a significant number of players in the tournament were not born in Africa. The increasing reliance on diaspora players has sparked debates about its impact on African football.
In the 2023 edition, out of the 630 registered players, 200 were born outside Africa, with France leading the count at 104, followed by Spain with 24 and England with 15. The Moroccan national team boasts the highest number of diaspora players, with 18 born outside the country. This trend, while contributing to the rise of some African teams, has also raised concerns about its potential negative effects.
African teams, grappling with the intense global talent battle, are turning to players born abroad for diverse reasons, including family ties and self-identity. The case of players like Riyad Mahrez and Kalidou Koulibaly, born in France to parents of African origin, exemplifies this trend. However, skeptics argue that some players may be opting for African teams due to perceived inadequacies in making it into European squads.
Despite concerns about the potential detrimental effects on the long-term health of African football, the approach seems to yield success on the field. For instance, Morocco’s impressive performance in reaching the semi-final stage of the 2022 Qatar World Cup has elevated them to the top-ranking African team and the 13th globally. Senegal and Cape Verde, traditionally less successful footballing nations, have also seen positive results.
Critics, including former Cameroon goalkeeper Joseph-Antoine Bell, express worries about diaspora players creating a culture of complacency among African football leaders and coaches. He argues that developing homegrown talent identification and development solutions should be a priority, although acknowledging the challenges of time and resources in the fast-paced world of football.
As the Afcon concludes in Abidjan, the birthplace of the captain lifting the trophy will likely fuel further debates about the role and significance of African football’s diasporas.
by Silas Boahene | Jan 30, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, International, Soccer
Bafana Bafana’s head coach, Hugo Broos, acknowledges the formidable challenge of facing Morocco, the top-ranked team in Africa, but remains confident that South Africa can create another upset in the African Cup of Nations (Afcon). Broos draws inspiration from the unexpected exits of traditional powerhouses like Egypt, Ghana, Tunisia, and Cameroon at the hands of underdogs in the tournament.
Despite recognizing the difficulty of the task at hand, Broos points to Bafana’s previous victory over Morocco in June, instilling belief in the team’s ability to triumph. Morocco, ranked first in Africa and having achieved an impressive fourth-place finish at the World Cup in Qatar in December 2022, boasts a squad filled with high-profile players.
In a media conference at the match venue, Broos stated, “It’ll be very difficult, but on the other side, this Afcon is full of surprises as we’ve seen a few big countries are already home.” Bafana midfielder Siphephelo Sithole emphasized the need for the team to bring their A-game and work collectively to secure a positive result against Morocco.
Despite the challenges, Broos remains optimistic about the possibility of Bafana creating another surprise at Afcon. The coach also revealed that Khuliso Mudau and Mothobi Mvala would undergo late fitness tests to determine their availability after sustaining knocks in the previous game against Tunisia. The clash between South Africa and Morocco in the Afcon last 16 is set to take place at Laurent Pokou Stadium in San Pedro.
by Silas Boahene | Jan 30, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
In a stunning turn of events at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, holders Senegal were eliminated by Cote d’Ivoire, paving the way for Nigeria to emerge as the second-highest-ranked team in the Ivorian group. The match, which ended 1-1 and went to penalties, saw Senegal’s dreams of retaining their title dashed.
Despite Senegal’s early lead with a goal from Habib Diallo in the 4th minute, Cote d’Ivoire showcased an improved performance, earning an equalizer through a Franck Kessie penalty just four minutes before regulation time. The game ultimately went to a penalty shootout, where Cote d’Ivoire secured a 5-4 victory after defender Moussa NiakhatĂ©’s effort hit the post.
With Senegal’s elimination, Nigeria’s Super Eagles now stand as the second-highest-ranked team in Cote d’Ivoire. Prior to the tournament, Nigeria was ranked sixth on the continent according to FIFA rankings. Algeria and Tunisia’s early exits in the group stages, coupled with Egypt and Senegal’s Round of 16 losses, further boosted Nigeria’s standing.
As the only team still at AFCON ranked higher than Nigeria, Morocco remains Africa’s number-one team. Nigeria is set to face Angola in the quarterfinals on Friday, February 2, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan. While Angola aims to reach the semifinals for the first time, the Super Eagles, eyeing their fourth AFCON trophy, continue their quest in a tournament where they have advanced to the last four in 15 out of 19 previous attempts.
