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Disappointed Ghanaian fans call for Hughton’s head after Cape Verde defeat
A section of the Ghanaian fans at the stadium
What many thought will be an easy three points for Ghana turned into a nightmare after Cape Verde handed the Black Stars a 2-1 shock defeat in their opening Group B match of the ongoing 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.
Prior to the game, hundreds of Ghanaians in their paraphernalia trooped to the streets of Abidjan amidst singing and dancing, optimistic of a win for Ghana.
Their confidence was derived from the fact that, the other game in Ghana’s group between Egypt and Mozambique ended in a 2-2 draw and a win for Ghana would send them to the top of the table ahead of the next round of matches.
It was, however not to be as it ended in a defeat with many Ghanaians quietly retiring to bed, hoping that there would be joy in the morning.
They poured out their disappointments with many calling for the head of Coach Chris Hudgton.
Speaking to The Spectator Sports after the game, Kofi Owusu, a Ghanaian fan questioned the substitutions made by the coach in the second-half which according to him, contributed to the defeat.
“Just when the Ghanaian attackers (Semenyo and Paintsil) were properly warming up into the game, the coach shockingly changed them and kept Ashimeru who had already run out of gas,” he stated.
However, former Chief Drummer for the Black Stars, Joseph Langabel rather blamed the players for their abysmal performance which contributed to the painful defeat.
“This kind of football by the Black Stars is clearly unacceptable. They play as if there is nothing at stake and would at the end, break our hearts,” he stated.
Afua Serwaa, who was hoping to hit the streets of Abidjan to celebrate Ghana’s victory said, “I cannot believe what I saw on the pitch because I actually wrote Cape Verde off.”
“Dede Ayew and his team must win the next match to compensate Ghanaians for the heartbreak,” she added.
From Michael D.Abayateye, Abidjan
The Ghana First Alliance, a movement, is today staging a protest in Accra against the renewal of the mining licence of Gold Fields, a mining company owned by a South African citizen operating in Ghana.
The demonstration, dubbed “Operation No Contract Renewal: South Africa Must Go,” is being held to demand that government does not renew the company’s licence.
The group says their protest is linked to recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa by a protest group known as “march to march.”
They claim that many Ghanaian-owned shops were looted, while others were attacked, with some cases leading to deaths.
They also say the situation forced the Ghana government to evacuate thousands of Ghanaians from South Africa back to Ghana.
Speaking to some of the protesters, they said they will move to several key locations in Accra, including the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Jubilee House, where they intend to present their petition.
The protesters are calling on government to terminate the Gold Fields contract and hand over the mining concessions to capable Ghanaians to manage.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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.
