by Silas Boahene | Jan 18, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Ghanaian forward Jordan Ayew has called on his fellow countrymen to exercise restraint in their critique of the national team’s performance in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Ayew, who faced significant criticism after Ghana’s opening-game loss to Cape Verde, defended the team and questioned the basis for heightened concerns after just one match.
The Crystal Palace player, under pressure for allegedly suggesting a lack of experience in the squad contributed to the defeat, responded to critics during a press conference ahead of Ghana’s second group game against Egypt. Ayew asked, “Are we disqualified yet?” emphasizing that judgments should be reserved until the team’s fate is determined.
by Silas Boahene | Jan 18, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, International
Undefeated super middleweight contender Christian Mbilli maintained his status as the number one contender for two of Canelo Alvarez’s super middleweight titles on Saturday night. The bout, which took place on the Artur Beterbiev-Callum Smith undercard at Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada, saw Mbilli (26-0, 22 KOs) deliver a punishing performance against Australian veteran Rohan Murdock (27-3, 19 KOs).
Despite Murdock’s display of heart, Mbilli’s relentless aggression and powerful punches left him significantly behind on the scorecards. Mbilli, a 2016 Olympian from Cameroon based in Montreal, landed an impressive 190-of-366 power punches, according to unofficial statistics. Referee Steve St. Germain wisely halted the 10-round bout before the seventh round, acknowledging Murdock’s inability to continue.
Murdock, who previously lost inside the distance in 2020 against Zach Parker, faced another stoppage, reflecting Mbilli’s dominance in the ring. Mbilli’s victory solidifies his position as the top 168-pound contender in the rankings by both the WBA and WBC. The 28-year-old is also rated third by the IBF and fifth by the WBO.
Prior to the fight, Mbilli expressed his desire to challenge Alvarez later in the year. Recognizing Alvarez’s preference for high-profile matchups, Mbilli understands that he may need to contend for a vacant title if he continues his winning streak.
The bout showcased Mbilli’s superiority, with notable moments such as a fifth-round right hand that staggered Murdock and a fourth-round exchange that dislodged Murdock’s mouthpiece. Mbilli’s strategic pressure and powerful combinations demonstrated his determination to secure a title shot against the super middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez.
by Silas Boahene | Jan 18, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, International, Soccer
During the scrutiny of the Budget Framework Paper for the Ministry of Education and Sports on January 16, 2024, members of the Budget Committee emphasized the urgency of prioritizing the construction of Akii-Bua Stadium. The Committee, chaired by John Ntamuhiira, called for an additional allocation of Shs100 billion from the Ministry of Finance to the National Council of Sports to facilitate the construction of Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira and Buhinga Stadium in Kabarole.
Ntamuhiira explained that, following the government’s inability to secure a grant from the Republic of China for the construction of the two regional stadiums, it is imperative for the government to secure funding to ensure their completion. Both stadiums are crucial components of the PAMOJA bid, where Uganda is set to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2027 with Kenya and Tanzania.
Despite the importance of Akii-Bua Stadium in the PAMOJA bid, concerns were raised during the session. Paul Omara urged the committee to unequivocally prioritize Akii-Bua and Hoima as stadiums for construction, emphasizing their significance for AFCON 2027. Maxwell Akora expressed concerns about the cost disparities, pointing out that the 15,000-seater Hoima Stadium is estimated at Shs380 billion, while the 30,000-seater Akii-Bua Stadium is estimated at Shs180 billion.
The Education Committee’s recommendations also include a provision of Shs110 billion for the construction of 11 training grounds for the 2027 AFCON games. Additionally, Ntamuhiira proposed an extra Shs114 billion to cover commitment fees under the PAMOJA bid, essential for Uganda’s compliance with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) requirements and to prevent the revocation of the AFCON bid.
by Silas Boahene | Jan 18, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International
Ghana’s seasoned middleweight boxer, Seth “Freezy Macbones” Gyimah, has opted out of contention for a spot on the national Olympic team for the 2024 Games. Following a setback in the Paris Games qualifiers last September, Gyimah had another chance in February but chose to redirect his efforts toward his professional boxing career.
At 34, Gyimah would have been the oldest contender on the Ghana Olympic squad. Despite facing a defeat in the qualifiers, Gyimah, who initiated his professional career in 2023 after a late start in 2012, expressed his determination to continue with his pro journey. Having won both of his two professional fights, Gyimah remains undeterred, emphasizing his commitment to developing as a professional boxer and organizing notable events through Macbones Promotions.
In a statement released to the press, Gyimah expressed gratitude to the Ghana national boxing team for the opportunity to represent his country but declared his decision to shift focus towards his professional aspirations.
by Silas Boahene | Jan 17, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations heats up as Egypt and Ghana face off in a Group B showdown at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Thursday, January 18, 2024, with kick-off scheduled for 22h00 CAT.
In their head-to-head history dating back to 1960, Egypt and Ghana have clashed in 23 matches. The Pharaohs boast 12 wins compared to the Black Stars’ five, with six games ending in draws. The most recent encounter was a World Cup qualifier in Kumasi in November 2017, concluding in a 1-1 draw featuring goals from Edwin Gyasi and Mahmoud Shikabala.
Egypt kicked off their AFCON campaign with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Mozambique, requiring an injury-time penalty from Mohamed Salah to secure a point. Ghana, on the other hand, suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde in their opener, conceding an injury-time strike.
Team news for Egypt reveals no reported injuries, but changes in the starting XI are anticipated, particularly in defense. Ghana hopes for the return of Mohammed Kudus, who missed the Cape Verde clash due to a ‘minor injury.’
Key players for Egypt include the prolific Mohamed Salah, impressive striker Mostafa Mohamed, and reliable midfielder Hamdi Fathy. Ghana looks to Alexander Djiku’s stellar performance against Cape Verde and counts on the Ayew brothers, Inaki Williams, and Antoine Semenyo to elevate their game.
As the anticipation builds, football enthusiasts can expect an enthralling encounter between these two African football powerhouses.
