Sports
DAF, MAIF support fight against COVID-19
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Head of Mission of the Diaspora African Forum (DAF), Ambassador Erieka Bennett and Nadia Murabet, President of Miracle Africa International Foundation (MAIF) may have become popular for their support for the youth through sports – and to an extent education.
However, this time, the two institutions have joined forces in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, after donating hundreds of masks and protective face shields to communities and establishments in the country.
At the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, MAIF and DAF donated masks and protective face shields to the Kumasi Children’s Home and to an elderly care-home in Gambibgo, outside Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region – thanks to the assistance of Dr Nadia Adongo Musah, President of the Ntuune Pogyua Foundation.
“A special thank you to DAF and MAIF for the support of face masks and shields. We believe in taking care of our elderly,” Dr Nadia Adongo Musah said.
Masks and shields were also donated to the Family Child and Associates Medical Centre which focuses on adult care and family health and infectious disease prevention and treatment.
The items were locally produced by Sixteen47 Ghana Limited, a garment factory based in Accra, under the direction and support of owner and CEO, Nura Archer.
DAF Ambassador Dr Erieka Bennett, said: “We are delighted to continue our long-lasting relationship with the MAIF through this much-needed example of caring and sharing. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted our efforts at the beginning of March, but our continuing collaboration inspired us to find new energy to protect those most at risk and restore hope and optimism for a better future.”
“The opportunity to ensure good health and safety for local communities, in addition to the importance of social distancing, personal hygiene and education lies at the heart of all our efforts to defeat this global pandemic,” said Ms Murabet.
“We are proud to collaborate with DAF and the donation of these masks and shields in such a troubled moment for global populations is a sign of solidarity and support during these difficult times.”
A joint statement issued at the weekend by DAF and the Geneva-based MAIF said that “as the world slowly regains its strength from the COVID-19 pandemic and countries begin to count the cost on human and social life, while at the same time plan ways to rebuild communities with new roles and responsibilities, the time for proactive participation in support of the unprecedented health crisis is more important than at any time in recent memory.”
MAIF, however, noted that they were working hard to provide a better quality of life for Africans by initiating and implementing projects and programmes that target sustainable development, stability and global peace for positive world transformation.
“The need to provide concrete actions and material support is one of the reasons why MAIF and DAF, have joined forces with the Diaspora office of the President in Ghana to safeguard the health of children and elderly citizens,” the statement added.
DAF is the first and only diplomatic mission in the world, devoted to the recognition and re-integration of the African Diaspora, based in Ghana and accredited by the African Union. DAF has helped ensure ground-breaking policy changes on the continent for African Diaspora to live, work, visit and invest in Africa, aside its support for sports.
MAIF, on the other hand, uses arts, culture, music and sports events to promote initiatives, create awareness campaigns and build bridges of peace and understanding through education.
DAF and MAIF were on the verge of starting a project “Education through Sports” in Accra with a football festival slated for the El Wak Sports Stadium in March, but was stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
BY TIMES SPORTS REPORTER
The Black Queens kick off their 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations journey on Wednesday, July 29, when they take on Cape Verde in their Group C opener in Morocco.
Coach Kim Lars Björkegren and his team go into the match full of confidence after weeks of intensive preparations.
The Queens held a successful pre-tournament training camp and played friendly matches to fine-tune ahead of the competition.
With morale high, Ghana’s senior women’s team will be targeting maximum points to get their campaign off to the perfect start.
The match is set for 5:00 PM GMT at the Moulay Rachid Stadium.
Football fans across Ghana will be watching closely, hoping the Queens can secure a positive result and lay the foundation for a memorable WAFCON 2026 run.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
With the World Cup fever gradually dying down, attention would switch to other equally important competitions from now to the latter parts of the year.
Barely a week after the global football showpiece that saw Spain upstaged Argentina as World Champions, over 70 countries gathered in Glasgow, Scotland for the Commonwealth Games that is attracting hundreds of athletes from the Commonwealth community.
Equally, 16 top female national teams in Africa would commence competition for the bragging rights as African champions when the delayed Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 kicks off in Morocco tomorrow.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria are usually considered favourites for this showpiece, having shown the strength and character to dominate the game on the continent.
As defending champions, they come in strongly again, expected to face a more difficult sides like the Black Queens of Ghana, Zambia and Morocco who have been touted as possible teams to cause an upset.
Of the 16 qualified teams, nine featured at the previous edition held in 2024.
Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tunisia, who qualified in 2024, missed out this time, while Cape Verde and Malawi will make their first appearance in the tournament.
Today, The Spectator Sports takes a look at some of the teams expected to rub shoulders with the big guns in the female game.
Cameroon
After missing the previous edition, Cameroon returns to the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 determined to re-establish themselves among Africa’s elite.
The Indomitable Lionesses, one of the continent’s most successful women’s national teams, secured a place at the expanded 16-team tournament after receiving a second chance through CAF’s revised qualification system.
Now, under newly appointed head coach Valentine Nguele and inspired by emerging midfield star Naomi Eto, Cameroon will be aiming not only to reclaim their place among Africa’s leading nations but also to secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Cameroon boasts one of the richest histories in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The Indomitable Lionesses have reached the final on three occasions—in 2004, 2014 and 2016—but are still searching for their first continental title.
Their consistency has also been reflected in three third-place finishes in 2002, 2012 and 2018, giving Cameroon six podium finishes overall.
Only Nigeria and South Africa have accumulated more top-three finishes in the history of the competition, underlining Cameroon’s long-standing status among Africa’s leading women’s football nations.
Zambia
After finishing third in 2022 and falling short of expectations at the 2024 edition, Zambia head to the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 determined to establish themselves among Africa’s elite.
With one of the continent’s most feared attacking units and new head coach Nora Häuptle at the helm, the Copper Queens will be aiming to lift the Women’s AFCON trophy for the first time.
Barbra Banda remains one of the biggest names in African women’s football.
The Orlando Pride striker has established herself among the leading forwards in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and returns to international competition after recovering from a hip injury suffered late last year.
Powerful, direct and clinical in front of goal, Banda will once again spearhead Zambia’s attack as the Copper Queens pursue their first continental title.
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso (Stallions Ladies) return to the competition determined to make history after missing the 2024 edition. Encouraged by an impressive qualifying campaign, the Stallions Ladies head to Morocco aiming to progress beyond the group stage for the first time.
Burkina Faso secured qualification with convincing victories over Burundi and Togo.
The Stallions Ladies defeated Burundi 5-1 on aggregate, following a commanding 4-1 first-leg victory before completing the job with a 1-0 win in the return fixture.
They carried that momentum into the final qualifying round against Togo, winning 2-0 in the first leg before sealing qualification with another 1-0 victory to complete a 3-0 aggregate success.
Nigeria
Reigning champions Nigerias head to Morocco 2026 looking to extend their remarkable record in the competition. With 10 continental titles to their name, the Super Falcons remain the most successful team in the tournament’s history..
Led by Captain Rasheedat Ajibade and head coach Justine Madugu, Nigeria once again begin the competition among the favourites.
Nigeria secured qualification to Morocco 2026 by defeating Benin 3-1 on aggregate in the second round of qualifying.
Having received a bye in the opening round, the Super Falcons took control of the tie with a 2-0 away victory in Cotonou.
They completed the job in Abeokuta, drawing 1-1 in the second leg after Ashleigh Plumptre opened the scoring before Benin equalised through Yasmine Djibril.
The result ensured another successful qualification campaign for the reigning African champions.
Cote d’Ivoire
After a 12-year absence from Africa’s biggest women’s football competition, Côte d’Ivoire returns to the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations aiming to re-establish themselves among the continent’s leading nations.
The Elephants secured an unexpected route back to the finals following the expansion of the tournament from 12 to 16 teams.
Now guided by experienced French coach Reynald Pedros and inspired by prolific striker Habibou Ouedraogo, Côte d’Ivoire believe they have the talent to challenge Africa’s established powers once again.
The Elephants were knocked out in the final qualifying round after a fiercely contested tie against Senegal. Neither side managed to score across the two legs, with Senegal eventually prevailing 5-4 on penalties to deny the Ivorians automatic qualification.
Following the expansion of the Women’s AFCON from 12 to 16 participating teams, CAF allocated the additional places based on the FIFA Women’s World Ranking.
⚽ Group A: Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Kenya,
⚽ Group B: South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania
⚽ Group C: Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, Malawi
⚽ Group D: Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde
By Andrew Nortey
