Sports
Akonnor’s opening acid test!
Ghana’s sweat merchant, Charles Akonnor, may have been walking a tight rope on the opening day of a friendly engagement against Mali in Turkey. He may have had the Sword of Damocles hanging precariously around his head. But suddenly the danger has eased, and all appears to be on course again.
At least, so it seems!
The trigger was simple. First, the Black Stars were mauled 3-0 by the Eagles of Mali in the first of an international friendly game that saw the latter enormously dominate, forming rings around the Andre Dede Ayew-led team to the chagrin of Ghanaians. It was a day the entire team – including Arsenal new sign-on Thomas Partey – failed to gel.
Akonnor stood baffled after the game. He looked mystified, stupefied and bamboozled. It was a baptism of fire for the former captain of the Black Stars who took over from Kwasi Appiah in January, this year.
Indeed, the general attitude of the boys against Mali was lethargic and they played as though there was absolutely nothing as stake. Maybe, there were no points at stake to be won; but there was pride – there was the nation’s reputation on the line, there was bragging rights!
Above all, the overall organisation of the game was miserable as one found it pretty backbreaking to decipher the kind of formation Ghana was playing. It was pattern-less pain of football.
Unsurprisingly, Akonnor was subjected to a barrage of criticism. He was dragged to the cleaners, whilst some of the cavilers hoped he would improve in his next game against current Asian champions Qatar.
As many may have predicted, Akonnor and his charges got it right this time around. The coach effected five changes to the squad that bowed shamefully without a fight against Mali as they plotted the fall of Qatar in the second friendly.
Erratic goal-tender Razak Abalora gave way to Lawrence Ati-Zigi, while youngster Benson Annan operated at right back with Gideon Mensah maintaining his place at left back. Alexander Djiku who was deployed in a midfield position against Mali, moved to central defence to partner Joseph Aidoo. Djiku and Aidoo played in the heart of defence in place of Nicholas Opoku (injured) and Kassim Nuhu Adams.
In midfield, Baba Iddrisu replaced Bernard Mensah to partner Thomas Teye-Partey to provide cover for the backline.
Saudi Arabia based winger Samuel Owusu ‘snaked’ his way into the starting line-up to play on the right-wing of Ghana’s attack in place of Eugene Ansah. New-man Tarique Fosu operated on the left wing with Captain Andre Ayew playing in the hole behind striker Jordan Ayew.
The changes paid off staggeringly as the Qataris were whitewashed 5-1 after a one-one draw opening half. It was just not the first win for Akonnor that mattered most; on the night, the Stars demonstrated a great derring-do and played as if their lives depended on the outcome of the enchanting game.
Indeed, that is how Ghanaians wanted the Stars to play against Mali; even with a mortifying defeat staring them in the face, the boys were expected to demonstrate some fight – ferocious fight! Sure, they must be prepared to die out of exhaustion rather than give up. That is the true spirit of champions.
The last time Ghana recorded such massive victory was against Congo Brazzaville (5-1) in a Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier three years ago in enemy territory – that saw Partey strike a momentous hat-trick. That is how come the newly-signed Arsenal combative midfielder became a house-hold name in Ghana.
As typical of Ghanaians, some are trying to make mockery of the Qatar win, insisting that the 2022 World Cup hosts were mince meat, or put more befittingly, not a ‘serious’ football nation. That is Ghana for you! If the Qataris had beaten the Stars, a far different story would have been told of the coach, his surrogate and all including the Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku.
Let us try to give credit where it is due.
More importantly, though, Akonnor must be guided by some of the horrendous mistakes the Stars committed in the two games and promptly make the necessary corrections before their next continental assignments against Sudan and South Africa, next month.
Ghana, leaders of Group C, engage Sudan at home and South Africa away in a double header of the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on November 13 and 17 respectively. The Stars have garnered the maximum points from the two games played – having accounted for Sao Tome and Principe 1-0 away before ditching South Africa’s Bafana Bafana 2-0 at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
The four-time African champions are odds on favourites to top the group and make it to the Cameroon 2021 tournament. That looks all-too effortless to predict and that may not be a bother. What is of grave concern is the nation’s disconcerting failure to annex the Holy Grail since 1982 – a stunning 38 years ago.
It is really a torturous shame that we have not been able to clinch the continental rubric all this while. Sad to say that Cameroon had not even won a single trophy in 1982 when Ghana was gallivanting on four; now they have whisked pass the Stars with five coronations.
Egypt had only two coronets in 1982. Today, the Pharaohs are seven-time African champions! Where is Ghana? Sleeping, right?
Strenuous efforts to lift the Golden Fleece have exploded into thin air of disappointments. Today, supporting the Black Stars is a penance one has to bear – and this is the gloomy picture the Okraku administration has promised to change.
Well, we will continue to give the FA and the new Stars our backing, but would not hesitate to drag them to the guillotine when they mess up.
Ghanaians are now sitting on anxious expense and continue to wonder when the disturbing Stygian silence would be broken as regards the coronet. It is really pathetic. It is a heart-rending bother!
As we wish Akonnor and his charges well, let them be reminded that it would take their supreme efforts to win back the love. The love will not come if they churn out disappointing performances. Love will come out of love, not hatred.
Bad football generates hatred! When you play some delectable football, you will attract the crowd and the love would follow suit. It is that simple!
PlainTalk with JOHN VIGAH
ADUANA FC’s title-winning aspirations will be on the line tomorrow when they host Asante Kotoko in a Ghana Premier League Match day 27 game at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park in Dormaa.
Currently lying fifth on the log, seven points adrift of leaders Bibiani Gold Stars, Aduana believes the title is within their reach and they will give it their best shot, beginning with tomorrow’s game.
In their last five fixtures at Dormaa, Aduana FC has recorded a single win, drawing twice and losing the rest, a trend coach Aristică Cioabă is hoping to end tomorrow.
Both teams have met twice this season; the first-round tie ended 1-1, with Aduana Stars knocking out Kotoko, the defending champions of the MTN FA Cup, on penalties in their round of 16, to set the tone for an epic encounter tomorrow.
Kotoko go into this game spurred by the 3-0 victory over Nations FC last week, the first after six attempts in the Garden City derby, while Aduana FC fell 2-1 to Bechem United in the Bono derby last week.
Accra Hearts of Oak will make a return to the Accra Sports Stadium to face returnees Swedru All Blacks in a cagey encounter.
Phobian fans are up in arms with their team following recent home performances.
Hearts of Oak’s home record this season at the Accra Sports Stadium stands at five matches, of which they won one, drew three and lost one.
In all, the Phobians have drawn 12 games this season, seven at home with four home victories; a pattern that has left their faithful very livid.
The Phobians, who lie fourth on the log with 42 points, six behind leaders Bibiani Gold Stars, harbour a title-winning dream, and victory tomorrow will further make that dream clear.
Coach Kassim Ocansey Mingle of Swedru All Blacks believes he has what it takes to ‘kill’ that dream of the Phobians and is looking to unleash striker Rudolf Mensah on the Phobians to continue from where he left off last week against Hohoe United.
After overtaking over Medeama SC to go top of the GPL table, Gold Stars will trek to the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale to play Karela United tomorrow.
Karela United, who were on a five-game unbeaten run before being blown away in Berekum last week by Berekum Chelsea, are hoping to return to winning ways as they seek a top four finish.
Gold Stars coach Fritz Schmid, winner of the NASCO coach of the month for February, will be banking his hope on current leading goal king Samuel Atta Kumi to help his side solidify their stay at the top with yet another victory or a point on the road.
Coach Nurudeen Amadu of Karela United believes his side would react positively after their first defeat in the last six games last week by picking up the three points available.
After applying the brakes on former league leaders Medeama SC last week, Dreams FC will turn their attention to the Hohoe Stadium when they play as guests of Hohoe United, who are battling relegation.
The league’s second-top scorer with 10 goals, Augustine Okrah, will lead Bechem United to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena to test their strength against Samartex FC.
At the Wenchi Sports Complex, relegation-threatened Young Apostles will look to jump out of the zone with a win when they take on visiting Heart of Lions.
Berekum Chelsea will chase a second straight victory when they visit Nations FC at the Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Abrankese.
The Nii Adjei Kraku Sports Complex in Tema New Town will today host the clash between eighth-placed Vision FC and visiting 12th-placed side Basake Holy Stars.
By Raymond Ackumey
The Laboma Beach Resort in Accra will be full of fireworks on April 5 when RBS Promotions and Box Office Promotions stage an international boxing event dubbed the ‘Resurrection Fight Night’ in Accra.
The event is set to feature top local and international boxers in what organisers described as a major platform to promote Ghana boxing on the global stage.
At the launch of the event last Friday, organisers outlined an exciting bill headlined by a 10-round national light heavyweight championship bout between Jonathan Tetteh and Abdul Aziz Quartey.
Other notable bouts included an eight-round lightweight contest between Alfred Lamptey and Maxwell Awuku, and another eight-round light heavyweight clash between Seth Gyimah of Ghana and Jamiu Animashaun of Nigeria.
Joseph Commey will face Bright Ayala in an eight-round lightweight contest, while Michael Abban takes on Benin’s Damien Zannou in a 10-round super flyweight fight.
Additional bouts will see Benjamin Lamptey battle Kamarudeen Boyefio in a six-round featherweight contest, while Clinton Nii Adjei is expected to feature in an eight-round cruiserweight contest against an opponent yet to be announced.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RBS Promotions, Dr Albert Tetteh Botchway, said the initiative formed part of efforts to nurture young boxing talents and position Ghana as a hub for international boxing.
He said the organisers were committed to producing a world champion for Ghana by 2028, stressing that it did not matter which camp the boxer would emerge from.
Dr Botchway urged unity among stakeholders in the boxing fraternity, including promoters, managers and trainers, to ensure the success of the event and the growth of the sport.
The Acting Teshie Mantse and Atofotse, Nii Martey Dzata Obrempong I, also appealed to boxers to remain disciplined and focused, noting that the event was organised in their interest to help them achieve their career aspirations.
He emphasised that boxing was a serious sport that required commitment and support from all stakeholders, adding that the event was not just a local contest but an international spectacle.
The CEO of Box Office Promotions, Mr Alex Ntiamoah, in his address described the event as more than a fight night, stating that it was a platform that blended sport, culture and business.
He said the initiative would create opportunities for fighters, brands and investors, while positioning Ghana as a destination for world class sporting entertainment.
Mr Ntiamoah further announced a series of pre-fight activities, including public appearances, workouts and a final press conference ahead of the main event.
According to him, a public workout session is scheduled for April 2, with the official weigh-in set for April 4, all at the same venue.
By Stephanie Birikorang
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