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Hasaacas must be rewarded for their blond effort
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● Hasaacas players celebrating a goal during last year’s Women CAF Champions League
tournament
For two reasons, Ghana’s most accomplished women club side, Hasaacas Ladies, must have punched their hands in the air in celebration when they dazzled all to reach the final stage of the maiden Women’s CAF Champions League last year.
Firstly, they were thrilled for being one of the two clubs on the continent to steer their path to the competition’s finale, and secondly, the transport of joy may have been triggered by an expectation of good cash to come with the momentous feat.
It is sad to say that almost a year (November 19, 2021) after playing in the grand finale and losing to Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0, nothing had come in reward for the Ghanaians – who continued to hang on hope.
That hope got burnt out last week when the former Ghanaian champions were told in plain language that their efforts would not be complemented with cash rewards for their 2021 Women’s Champions League feat, having won the WAFU Zone B edition in Cote d’Ivoire earlier.
“On prize money, CAF spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the first edition. There was no prize money announced. When the discussion came after the tournament, the President said it wasn’t fair to announce prize money after the competition. This was the correct approach, of course,” a piece of the CAF statement, read.
It is just unfortunate. This is highly unfair. How do you expect a team to play at this level without any monetary returns? We hear Hasaacas were even told not to showcase any product on their jerseys. What does that mean? This is simply atrocious! How do you organise a continental competition at this level without any budget for it? Playing for free in this age and time? This is simply crazy!
The players, technical team and management have worked very hard to walk away with something. It seems as if CAF may have capitalised on the naivety of Haasacas. The Ghanaian club may have decided to pull out if they were told there was not going to be anything for them.
This weird decision by CAF has the propensity of having a calamitous effect on women football if clubs are treated in this manner by the same institution that wants the local FAs to fight for the female game.
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe says women are playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of African football and the socio-economic development and growth of the African Continent. This was part of his remarks to mark the International Women’s Day on Tuesday, March 8. Can he be serious, really?
Chief Executive of Hasaacas Ladies, Evelyn Nsiah, is not convinced.
“We as a club are very disappointed in CAF because they requested our bank details after the tournament, which was provided. So if they didn’t have a budget, what did they need our bank details for? Can this happen in men’s football?
“We are disappointed and sad. In fact, they have to come again. We haven’t accepted it; we believe they will have a change of mind,” she told JoySports recently.
Is the CAF President aware Hasaacas Ladies are yet to get a farthing after participating in the tournament? If yes, then his so-called commitment to women football development is questionable – very problematic.
On this note, it is high time the Ghana Football Association (GFA) led by Kurt Okraku got stirred to fight the just cause of the Ghanaians ladies. The GFA President himself has said several times that women football is on top his agenda; and this is the time now for him to accentuate that assertion more than ever.
For now, CAF cannot be serious with its loyalty to the women’s game and they must sit up before it is too late.
PlainTalk with John Vigah
Accra Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC will headline Matchday 5 of the Ghana Premier League when the two sides meet at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium tomorrow, with both clubs seeking a result that could shape their early season campaign.
The encounter comes at a crucial moment for the two sides with the Phobians looking to recover from their first defeat of the campaign and Dreams still searching for their first victory after four matches.
The Rainbow lads started the season strongly but were beaten 1-0 by Karela United last weekend, while Dreams suffered a slim 1-0 defeat to Bechem United.
Hearts had earlier recorded impressive victories over Berekum Chelsea and Bibiani Gold Stars before drawing goalless with Bechem United, leaving the club with seven points from their opening four matches.
Their defeat at Karela United, however, means they will be under pressure to quickly return to winning ways against a Dreams side determined to make home advantage count.
Dreams, meanwhile, have endured a difficult beginning to the campaign and will see tomorrow’s fixture as an opportunity to change their fortunes.
The ‘Still Believe’ side have collected points from only their opening draws and are yet to register a victory, making the meeting with one of the country’s traditional giants an important test of their character.
Elsewhere, Vision FC will welcome Bibiani Gold Stars to the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex today, with both teams looking to strengthen their positions.
Vision have shown encouraging form in the early stages, while Gold Stars will be seeking a response after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to newcomers Port City FC.
At the Debibi Presby Park, newly promoted Debibi United will face defending champions Medeama SC tomorrow.
Medeama finally opened their account with a convincing 4-1 victory over Basake Holy Stars and will be hoping that the result marks the beginning of a stronger title defence.
Port City FC will continue their impressive debut campaign when they host Bechem United at the Daasebere Boamah Darko II Park.
Basake Holy Stars will attempt to recover from their heavy defeat to Medeama when they host Berekum Chelsea at the Ampain AAK II Sports Arena.
Aduana FC will welcome Swedru All Blacks to the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park after producing one of the weekend’s most notable results last Sunday.
At the Kpando Stadium, Heart of Lions will host FC AshantiGold ’04 in another meeting between sides coming off victories.
FC Samartex 1996 will meanwhile welcome Young Apostles FC to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, with the home side seeking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.
By Enoch Ntiamoah Siaw
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Tuesday, September 29, 2026 would go into the annals of Ghana football as one of the darkest days for the Black Stars.
In an AFCON 2027 qualifier against The Gambia, the Black Stars did not only break the hearts of the fans, but conceded a defeat that left followers with sleepless nights.
Coming from a Matchday 1 defeat to the Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire in Bouake, the outcome of the second game against The Gambia was one that was non-negotiable.
It had the ability to spark a revival to contend for one of the slots for the next AFCON showpiece.
The Gambia is a formidable side but definitely, not one to have frustrated Ghanaians to watch in pain and awe the Black Stars lose a game from a winning position.
That is a possibility in the game of football but when the stakes are high in such cases, it becomes unacceptable to the fans.
And grievously has Carlos Queiroz answered the massive call for his resignation.
At his post-match press conference, he made it clear that bowing out was the easiest decision but insisted that would not solve the myriad problems facing the Black Stars.
For the coach to be fired two days after that declaration raises a lot of concerns as he seem to be aware of existing problems the FA may even not know.
Unfortunately, coaches over the years have always been sacrificial lambs in situations of this nature but when he talks about particular problems affecting the team, his sack leaves much to be desired.
That aside, it is important to also take another look at the country’s pool of players, both local and foreign based.
Some of us have been advocates for forming the Black Stars around the ever-present local players who may lack the skill, finesse and flamboyance believed to give the foreign based players the edge over their local counterparts.
The locals, however, compensate that with their commitment and dedication.
Sadly, it appears this consistent call have fallen on deaf ears and no one wants to give any attention to that.
If the fear is that results would be poor, then that would be no excuse again following outcomes of the Stars in their last two games.
From what was witnessed in Bouake and Accra, one can confidently boast that there isn’t much difference between the foreign based players and the locals.
If there is any, it would probably be the treatment given to the two sets of players.
The call on the FA now is to give major consideration to the local players. Any coach that sees no good in the local players must have no business handling the national team.
That does not also shut the door on the ‘foreigners’. We witnessed how the early 90s teams were beautifully blended to have a formidable team.
It is time the FA goes back to the basics. With the locals, there can be more camps, leading to improved cohesion. Any foreign based player invited must settle into the team quickly and make a difference. That is the only way to rescue the Black Stars from its free fall.
By Andrew Nortey
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