Sports
Emmanuel Keyekeh gives Samartex win over Kotoko
FC Samartex delivered yet another sublime performance to beat Asante Kotoko 1-0 at Nana Nsenkyire Park.
The Sameraboi side started the game on a strong footing with new signing Baba Hamadu Musah firing wide in the opening stages.
Emmanuel Keyekeye scored the only goal of the match inside the half hour mark after bending a delicious free kick into the top corner.
The former Karela United and Asante Kotoko enforcer pummeled home a ferocious shot in the 30th minute to send the fans into frenzy.
Ebenezer Acquah nearly gifted Asante Kotoko the equalizer in the 37th after he committed a blunder in the box but the Samartex back line was quick to remedy the situation.
Back from the break, FC Samartex took the game to the Reds – in search of the second goal but Evans Osei Wusu missed a glorious chance in the 66th minute mark.
FC Samartex dominated play and hit the upright in the 68th minute – much to the relief of the away fans.
Asante Kotoko coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum threw Isaac Oppong, Rocky Dwamena and Mfegue into the fray but the quartet barely made any significant impact as FC Samartex held on to win the contest.
FC Samartex thus extend their winning run to five consecutive home wins with Asante Kotoko winless in their last four outings.
The win takes FC Samartex to the second spot in the league table with 16 points, while Asante Kotoko remain 15th with 10 points after 10 games.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS
The Black Maidens have departed Accra for Dakar, Senegal, ahead of their crucial final qualifying round first-leg clash for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
A 24-player squad, accompanied by the technical team and officials, left the Accra International Airport on Tuesday aboard ASKY Airlines, determinate to secure a positive result away from home.
The Black Maidens have enjoyed an impressive qualifying campaign and are now just two matches away from booking a place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The team has intensified preparations in recent weeks, with the technical staff fine-tuning tactics and ensuring the players are in peak condition for the decisive encounter.
The team is expected to arrive in Dakar later in the day and victory over the two-legged tie will see the Black Maidens secure qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Forward Brandon Thomas-Asante said the squad’s ambition and ambition and hunger remain intact despite the 2-1 loss to Croatia, stressing the Black Stars are determined “to make a name for ourselves as a nation and to keep that legacy going” heading into the Round of 32.
Speaking after Saturday’s Group L finale at Lincoln Financial Field, the Coventry City player said Ghana’s World Cup mission goes beyond individual goals.
“Yes, I think coming into the World Cup, there’s a lot of ambition, a lot of hopes and what we want to do as a collective on an individual basis,” he said. “And I think it all encompasses within each other that we want to be successful.”
Despite finishing third in the group with 4 points, Ghana progressed to face Colombia on July 4 in Kansas City. The player pointed to belief inside the camp.
“We’re glad that when we look around the dressing room, we see a lot of talent, a lot of ability and a lot of hunger to go and to make a name for ourselves as a nation and to keep that legacy going.”
The comments echo Carlos Queiroz’s message that “qualification is not a destination” and that the “real World Championship starts now.” Ghana reached the knockout stage after a win over Panama, a draw with England, and the narrow defeat to Croatia.
“We’re trying to do our best, to give our best and every game we are trying to make the nation proud,” Derrick Luckassen said earlier. “On to the next game, we have to keep on going.”
Ghana now prepare for Group K winners Colombia, who topped their group unbeaten with 7 points.
