Sports
Ashanti region’s Senior Women’s Cricket League underway
The first week of the Ashanti Region Senior Women’s T20 League produced a lot of fireworks at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Obuasi Campus Cricket Oval as clubs attempted to start their respective campaigns on winning notes.
On Saturday, Wawasi Elites started the competition on a blistering note, defeating Tutuka Queens before Pomposo Royals accounted for debutants Central Divas in their opener.
Tutuka queens had two players retiring with injuries and wrapped up the first innings in 7.5 overs with 42 runs for 8 wickets after they lost the toss to bat first.
Rashidatu Salia came tops in the bowling figures, taking 3 wickets and gave away 8 runs in 2 overs for the Elites.
It took Wawasi Elites 4.2 overs to score 43 runs for no wicket to win the game by 10 wickets with Captain of the side, Rashidatu Salia scoring 16 off 15 balls, while partner and Vice-Captain, Fati Grace scored 10 runs off 15 balls.
Rozabel Asumadu, Captain of Tutuka Queens attributed the defeat to the absence of some notable players.
In the second game, Pomposo Royals won the toss and took Central Divas all out for 56 runs in 17.1 overs in the first innings.
Rhyda Ofori Amanfo took 3 wickets of the 10, gave away 12 runs in 4 overs, while Grace Quainoo and Dorcas Yeboah took 2 each, gave away 16 and 8 runs in 4 and 2.1 overs, respectively.
Eva Afoakwah and Grace Quainoo were sacrificed earlier in the second innings, but Rhyda stood her grounds and with 29 runs off 28 balls, finished the game with Mary Ndzibah (12 runs off 12 ball), scoring 57 runs for 2 wickets in 6.5 overs and winning by 8 wickets.
Rhyda Ofori Amanfo, Captain of Pomposo Royals was elated after the game and commended the entire team for their hard work.
On Sunday, Ellen Otu Asante and her fellow White Hawks had a torrid time in the T20 League, as Emmanuella Nyaaba’s introduction as the 3rd batter dented their hopes of surpassing the 128 runs for 6 wickets made by Royal Batters in the first innings.
Ellen scored a boundary 4 from her second ball and was in for a change, while the team stood at 54 runs in 11.3 overs.
She, however, took 3 wickets, gave away 13 runs, in 4 overs in the first innings that saw Elizabeth Annor score 30 runs, off 57 balls, not out, while Cynthia Ankobea scored 29 runs, off 36 balls, not out for Royal Batters.
Emmanuella Nyaaba in the second innings took 4 wickets, gave away 11 runs in 4 overs, while Cynthia Ankobea and Grace Amankwa took 2 each, gave away 5 and 6 runs, in 4 and 3 overs accordingly.
Royal Batters won the game by 39 runs.
Wawasi Elites, Pomposo Royals and Royal Batters all have 2 points each, whereas Tutuka Queens, Central Divas and White Hawks would have to battle for their first 2 points on week 2.
The league continues with week two matches on July 22-23, 2023.
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
