Sports
Delegation from Ghana Mission in UAE visit Black Queens camp
Officials from the Ghana mission in the United Arab Emirates have paid a morale-boosting visit to the camp of the Black Queens.
The delegation, made up of Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto, Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai and Head of Transport Anas Shaibu, visited the team to assure them of the government’s support and commitment to their safety and welfare.
During the visit, the officials interacted with the team and offered words of encouragement, urging the team to remain focused on the tournament despite concerns surrounding unrest in parts of the UAE.
Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto emphasised that the Ghanaian government, through its diplomatic mission, is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to ensuring the team’s safety throughout their stay.
“We want the team to stay calm and focus on the competition. The government and the embassy are doing everything possible to ensure your safety and well-being.” he said.
Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai also reiterated the mission’s readiness to provide any assistance required by the team during the tournament.
Leadership of the team expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and motivating.
With the backing of Ghana’s diplomatic officials in the UAE, the Black Queens remain determined to represent the country proudly and deliver strong performances in the Pink Ladies Cup.
The Black Queens have arrived in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the upcoming Pink Ladies Cup in Dubai. The team touched down at the Dubai International Airport via Emirates Air on Wednesday morning and were warmly received by the competition’s organising officials.
The squad will be based at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, where they will begin their final preparations for the tournament. Organised as part of the international women’s football calendar, the Pink Ladies Cup is expected to feature four national sides using the competition to assess their squads and fine-tune strategies for upcoming tournaments.
Ghana will open their campaign today with a clash against Hong Kong, while Russia and Tanzania face off in the other opening match.
The Black Queens are then scheduled to return to action on March 3, when they take on Russia in a match expected to test them against a physically strong opponent.
The final round of games will be played on March 6, with Ghana closing their campaign against Tanzania at 9:00 pm.
With three matches in eight days, the tournament promises to be a crucial phase in Ghana’s preparation, as the Black Queens aim to return to continental action sharper, stronger, and more competitive.
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With just a point off the relegation zone, All Blacks Head Coach Kassim Ocansey Mingle and his charges are well aware of what it will mean should they lose this game.
Together with management, the team is leaving no stone unturned as they look to pick all three points from the game to further boost their survival.
Coach Mingle believes his boys would rise to the occasion and inflict the third defeat of the season on Medeama come tomorrow.
For Medeama coach Tanko Ibrahim, the stakes will be high in the game, and his side is not underestimating the opposition, adding that they will treat the game like a cup final.
Coach Samuel Boadu of Berekum Chelsea will look to build on the performance that saw his side pick up a point away at Hearts of Oak when they welcome Young Apostles FC to the Golden City Park in a game that they dare not falter; because that could see Apostles leapfrog the host, who would drop into the relegation zone.
Two-time league champions Aduana FC will continue their push for the title when they play as guests of Dreams FC at the Tuba Astro Turf.
After defeat in their last game away to Vision FC, Bechem United FC will return to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in search of their ninth victory of the season when they face Karela United.
In other games, Basake Holy Stars FC will look to build upon their accumulated 29 points when they welcome Heart of Lions to the AAK II Sports Stadium in Azulewanu, Nzema, while debutant Hohoe United will return to the Hohoe Stadium to host former league winners Samartex FC.
A second spot on the Ghana Premier League (GPL) table will be up for grabs when defending champions Bibiani Gold Stars host Accra Hearts of Oak in the matchday 24 fixture at the Dun’s Park tomorrow.
Separated by two points on the log, Gold Stars, who are on 42 points, will be hoping to play catch-up with leaders Medeama SC, whom they trail by three points, with a victory in this game while stretching the lead over Hearts to five points.
Swiss tactician Fritz Markus Schmid hopes to end the seeming stalemate in this fixture in recent times, and backed by the league’s leading marksman Samuel Attah Kumi, Gold Stars is plotting to see the back of the Phobians, who are the leading away travellers in the league with six wins.
With three wins in three matches for Bibiani Gold Stars, and six goals scored in the process, the likelihood of scoring in this game is high; however, it remains to be seen if they can do so against Black Stars shot-stopper Benjamin Asare, who has nine clean sheets to his name and is likely to man the post, that is, if he is not given a rest for his capable lieutenant Solomon Agbasi.
At the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, Asante Kotoko, in search of a second successive win after beating Young Apostles on the road, will engage Vision FC in a tricky tie.
Having played out a goalless draw in the first-round fixture, the encounter carries added weight, especially coming on the back of Vision FC’s recent form.
The Tema New Town side, fresh from the 3-2 win over Bechem United last week which saw them climb into the top half of the table, will be looking to build on that success to further push up the ladder with a result other than a defeat, while Kotoko looks to break into the top three with a victory.
By Raymond Ackumey
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