Sports
Horror in the Maghreb
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IT may have been a fortnight already, but the Black Maidens’ (national U-17 women’s team) mortifying ordeal received at the hands of their Moroccan counterparts in Rabat, still lingers on.
A week earlier at the Accra Sports Stadium, the Ghanaians had taken a strong 2-0 lead in the first leg final qualifier of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup to be staged in India, later this year.
It was a game the Maidens could have wrapped up with a bigger margin but for their profligacy in front of goal.
Despite the waste, many had still tipped them to brush aside the Young Atlases and qualify for their seventh Mundial. Indeed, they are the only African side that has qualified for every world youth tournament since 2008. But alas, there was something evil in wait for the Maidens at the Moulay El Hassan Complex in Rabat where the Ghanaians were subjected to near strappado – and eventually booted out of the campaign.
Twenty-four hours or so ahead of the game in Rabat, five key players of the Maidens were ruled out after reportedly failing the COVID-19 mandatory tests. The team was horrified by the news. They simply could not take it.
As if that was not enough, verified reports indicated that the Maidens were subjected to a raw deal of biased officiating on the field, as they were denied lucidly-clear penalty calls to the chagrin and shock of the few Ghanaian fans who turned out for the game.
Though the girls held on tightly and work their socks off, they conceded two goals that threw the afternoon into penalty shootout after a 2-2 aggregate score line.
Even during the lottery of spot-kicks, a Morocco player was allowed to re-take his kick after it was saved with the referee insisting that the goalie moved. For those following proceedings, it came as no surprise at all when the Moroccans edged out the frustrated Maidens 4-2 to book their first ever ticket for the India tournament.
But that was not all. There was some cruelty to relate as the Maidens dashed for the break only to realise that their dressing room had been sprayed with chemicals. The players and their technical team said the scent from the substance was so pungent and suffocating that they had no choice but to sit outside of the room.
Sheer wickedness might be too soft a phrase to describe the situation. It was incomprehensibly atrocious.
Perhaps, the North Africans may have given us enough hint of the ‘horror’ to expect in the Rabat return tie, but we took it with a pinch of salt. Indeed, right after the game, their officials fiercely badgered on their hosts, accusing them of having used five over-aged players to aid their victory.
Most Ghanaians may just have regarded it as sour grapes. Nothing more! But unknown to the Maidens, the Moroccans left Accra with bitter hearts, deciding to hatch a vicious plot that would ultimately cripple out the 2012 World Cup bronze medalists.
It was rather intriguingly stunning to see the Moroccans do this to Ghana because there is an existing partnership between the two countries which has seen the duo play a series of friendlies.
Why they would have to handle the Maidens the way they did, totally beats any stretch of imagination.
Clearly, from the way they behaved, the Moroccans did not respect or cared a hoot about any partnership. What mattered to them was getting the result; whatever form it would take, was not their cup of tea. They do not mind what the world would say about them. The agenda was: get the Maidens out of the way!
Why should it be the case? Must they get the Maidens out of contention by hook or by crook?
When they came to Ghana for the first leg, was that the way they were treated? Certainly, no!
This is very bad for football development and promotion in Africa and the world at large and the Ghana Football Association (GFA), aside from any strong-worded protest they intend to write or may have written, must take a second look at the so-called partnership they have with Morocco.
For the Ghanaian girls, some of whom are still struggling to come to terms with the fiasco, better luck next time. It was a harrowing experience, doubtless; but they can only put the disappointment behind them and refocus as they build from the ashes.
Hope the GFA also take a leaf from this letdown and put a more clairvoyant strategy in place when confronted with similar challenges in the future.
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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