by Silas Boahene | Aug 15, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Gideon Fosu, Chairman of the Black Princesses Management Committee, has lauded Yusif Basigi, head coach of Ghana’s National Under-20 Women’s Football Team, as a “collaborative coach.” In an exclusive interview with Channel One Sports ahead of the Black Princesses’ departure to the United States for a series of friendly matches, Fosu commended Basigi’s willingness to listen to advice and his cooperative approach.
Fosu observed multiple training sessions at the Cape Coast Stadium and expressed his appreciation for Basigi’s coaching style. “Yusif Basigi is a very collaborative coach. He listens to advice a lot, and I always tell everyone, I enjoy working with him. It’s been a very good relationship; Basigi is a very good coach,” Fosu stated.
The friendly matches in the U.S. are part of the team’s preparation for the 2024 FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup in Colombia, where Ghana will compete in Group E alongside Austria, New Zealand, and Japan. Despite six consecutive appearances at the World Cup, Ghana has yet to progress beyond the group stage. Under Basigi’s leadership, the Black Princesses won gold at the 2023 African Games held in Ghana.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 15, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Black Princesses Management Committee Chairman, Gideon Fosu, has set his primary goal for Ghana’s National Women’s Under-20 Football Team: advancing beyond the group stage at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Speaking in an exclusive interview with ChannelOne Sports ahead of the team’s departure to the United States for friendly matches before heading to Colombia for the World Cup, Fosu emphasized his focus on breaking the team’s historical barrier.
“This year’s aim is to move past the group stage and then take it game by game. This has been the motivation for the girls, the technical team, and everyone involved. We are working hard toward that goal,” Fosu stated.
Ghana, placed in Group E alongside Austria, Japan, and New Zealand, will need to finish in the top two of the group or be one of the two best third-placed teams to advance to the knockout stages. Despite competing in six consecutive editions of the tournament, Ghana has yet to progress beyond the group stage.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 15, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Europe, Ghana, International
Philippina Frimpong, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Athletics, has characterized Team Ghana’s performance in the sprint events at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris as “bitter sweet.” Speaking in an exclusive interview with ChannelOne Sports during Team Ghana’s return from the Games, Frimpong reflected on the team’s experience, marked by a disappointing disqualification from the Men’s 4×100 Metre Relay due to a lane infraction.
“It was bitter sweet for all of us. The boys were excited, they were hyped, they were ready to go, but relays can be unpredictable. No matter how much you prepare, sometimes things just don’t go as planned,” Frimpong explained.
She acknowledged the collective disappointment felt by Ghanaians, emphasizing that the athletes themselves were deeply affected by the outcome. “We did everything we could, and I know Ghanaians are disappointed, but no one is more disappointed than those boys. That was their platform. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen the way we planned. They are upset, they are hurt, and they feel the pain of Ghanaians because they are also Ghanaians,” she added.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 15, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Other Sports
Delphina Quaye, President of the Ghana Swimming Association, has expressed her satisfaction with the performance of Ghana’s swimmers at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Harry Stacey competed in the Men’s 100 Metre Freestyle, and Joselle Mensah in the Women’s 50 Metre Freestyle, though neither advanced to the semifinal stage. Despite Team Ghana not securing a spot in any event final, President Quaye remained positive about the swimmers’ efforts.
“I was okay with their performance. This is their first attempt, and I think they’ve done the best that they could. I think they did well overall. More competitions internationally—African competitions, world competitions—are the best way forward. The more they compete against their peers from other countries, the more confident they become, and the better they’ll perform in future events,” Quaye stated.
Ghana sent eight athletes to the Paris Olympics, including Mensah and Stacey, but the team did not secure any medals.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 15, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
FC Augsburg Sporting Director Marinko Jurendic has outlined the reasoning behind the decision to loan Ghana-German defender Patric Pfeiffer to Swiss club Young Boys BSC. The move, finalized as Young Boys prepare for their UEFA Champions League qualifier against Galatasaray on August 21, is intended to provide Pfeiffer with valuable playing experience at a high level.
Pfeiffer, who stands 6 feet 5 inches tall, is contracted with Augsburg until June 2027. Commenting on the loan, Jurendic stated, “We mutually agreed that a loan to an ambitious club competing in Europe, where Patric can play regularly, is the best course of action. The goal is for Patric to gain experience playing at a high level for Young Boys, including participating in European competitions.”
Pfeiffer, who recently received his Ghanaian passport, sees the move as an ideal step for his career development. The former Hamburger SV player is also in line to represent Ghana’s Black Stars and will turn 25 on August 20.
