by Silas Boahene | Aug 13, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Kpando Heart of Lions head coach, Bashir Hayford, is emphasizing his extensive coaching experience as his team prepares for the 2024-2025 Ghana Premier League season. In an interview with ChannelOne Sports, Hayford discussed his credentials ahead of a friendly match against Accra Hearts of Oak in the Gbese Mants3 Cup on August 11 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The match is part of both teams’ preseason and aims to promote peace ahead of Ghana’s December Presidential and Parliamentary Elections. Hayford, who returned to the Ghana Premier League after coaching abroad, successfully kept Heart of Lions from relegation and believes his experience will continue to benefit the team.
“I’m still alive, I’m still working, I’m still green,” Hayford said, expressing confidence in his matured and refined football knowledge.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 13, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Gideon Fosu, Chairman of the Management Committee for Ghana’s Black Princesses, has confirmed that the team’s outstanding qualifying bonuses have been fully paid ahead of their participation in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. Initially promised $6,000 each for their performance in the qualifiers, the players received a revised amount of $4,500.
The timely payment comes as the Black Princesses intensify their preparations in Cape Coast for their seventh consecutive World Cup appearance, set to take place from August 31 to September 22, 2024. Ghana is placed in Group E alongside New Zealand, Austria, and Japan.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 13, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Ghana, International
Ghanaian sprinter Isaac Botsio has shared his reaction after being left out of Ghana’s Men’s 4×100 Metre Relay Team at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Despite being a regular member of the relay team, Botsio was replaced by Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, who secured his spot after running an impressive 10.05 seconds in the 100 Metre heats.
The team, which included Joseph Paul Amoah, Benjamin Azamati, Ibrahim Fuseini, and Saminu, ran a time of 38.62 seconds in Heat 2 of the relay semifinals but was disqualified due to a lane infraction during the baton exchange between Azamati and Saminu.
Botsio took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his thoughts, posting “Just a matter of time” alongside a photo of himself seated with the Eiffel Tower in the background.
Benjamin William Graham, Media Attache for Ghana’s contingent at the Paris Games, commented that he does not believe the lineup change was a crucial factor in the team’s failure to reach the finals. Unfortunately, Ghana did not make a final appearance in any of the four events in which its athletes competed.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 13, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International
Zambia’s celebrated boxer Patrick ‘Baddo’ Chinyemba, fresh off his performance at the Paris Olympics, is set to face Ghana’s resilient Theophilus ‘Lopez’ Allotey in an eight-round IBA Africa flyweight title bout on August 17 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This marks the first time the increasingly popular IBA Champions Night series will be held on African soil. The event will feature some of the continent’s top boxers competing not for medals but for prize money, as the IBA Champions Night contests are organized in a professional boxing format.
The headline match between Chinyemba and Allotey is anticipated to be explosive. It will also be their third encounter, with Chinyemba currently leading 2-0 after victories over Allotey in last year’s World Championships in Uzbekistan and the recent African Games in Accra.
In addition to the headline bout, the card will feature Tanzania’s Commonwealth Games and Africa bronze medallist, Yusuf Changalawe, who will face DR Congo’s Pita Kabeji for the third time, with Kabeji having won their previous two encounters.
The event is a significant milestone for African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) President Eyassu Wossen Berhanu, who will be hosting the prestigious event in his home country with distinguished personalities expected to attend.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 13, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International, USA
On August 6, 2024, the Boys & Girls Club of Joliet hosted its much-anticipated Back-to-School event, drawing families and youth from the community. Among the notable speakers were Joseph “JoJo” Awinongya Jr., a 21-time national boxing champion and Team USA member, and Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow. The event, organized by Chantel Gamboa, offered inspiring messages, community engagement, and valuable resources for the upcoming school year.
At just 17 years old, Awinongya Jr. is a rising boxing star and a role model for young people. He shared his insights on the importance of perseverance, education, and community, emphasizing that “Education is the foundation for success” and encouraging students to remain dedicated to their academic goals.
State’s Attorney Glasgow praised JoJo as an exemplary student and athlete, urging the youth to follow his lead. He expressed interest in establishing a boxing gym at the Boys & Girls Club to provide more opportunities for positive activities.
Event organizer Chantel Gamboa expressed her gratitude for the speakers’ contributions, highlighting the lasting impact of their messages of hope and determination.
The event featured various community resources from vendors such as the Joliet Library, the University of Illinois Extension program, the Girl Scouts, Amazon, and Ikea, offering valuable opportunities for families.
As the event concluded, JoJo Awinongya Jr. left the youth with an empowering message: “With perseverance, education, and the support of our community, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.” His words resonated with the day’s theme, inspiring the next generation to reach for greatness.
