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Can Stars win gold in Cameroon? …as AFCON roars off tomorrow
Nine past winners are among 24 countries fully loaded for the 33rd edition of the TotalEnergies 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, slated for Cameroon tomorrow.
The celebrated nine are: Egypt (1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008, 2010), Cameroon (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017), Ghana (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982), Algeria (1990, 2019), Cote d’Ivoire (1992, 2015), Nigeria (1980, 1994, 2013), Tunisia (2004), Sudan (1970) and Ethiopia (1962).
The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in June and July 2021, but CAF announced on January 15 2020, that due to hostile climatic conditions during this period, the tournament would take place from January 9 to February 6 2021.
However, on June 30 2020, CAF again moved the tournament for the second time to January 2022, following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic across the continent, whilst retaining the name 2021 Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship purposes.
Algeria are the defending champions, having won the 2019 edition.
It is expected that the finest of continental football will decant from the tantalizing feet of the hundreds of players that would converge in the five cities (Douala, Yaounde, Garoua, Bafoussam and Limbe) of Cameroon.
After the group stage, the top two teams from each group and the four highest ranked third-placed teams will advance to the round of 16. The round of 16 winners will advance to the quarter-finals and the quarter-final winners will advance to the semi-finals. The semi-final losers will play in a third place match, while the semi-final winners will contest the final.
For most Ghanaians, the concern is not too much about gorgeous football. It is about putting up a brave pitch performance and breaking the nation’s trophy jinx for the first time since 1982. It is now four decades – 40 incredible years, since the Black Stars lifted the Holy Grail, and the time to exorcise the ghost of failure is now or never.
Leading the Stars in that taxing adventure is Andre Dede Ayew, who, inspired by the sound technical direction of returnee Serbian coach, Milovan Rajevac, is expected to land Ghana that fifth elusive gold – hopefully.
This is why Ghanaians would be watching with bated breath as the buoyant Stars take to the field against Morocco’s Atlas Lions in their Group C opening game on Monday, December 10, at the 42,500-capacity Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé
BY SPECTATOR SPORTS REPORTER:
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
