Sports
Kotoko, be wary of COVID-19!
Asante Kotoko are now Ghana’s sole flagbearers in continental football, following the predictable exit of AshantiGold from the CAF Confederation Cup campaign.
The Obuasi ‘Miners’ were flushed out by Burkina Faso’s Salitas FC on a 2-1 aggregate in the preliminary round of the competition, after a grueling barren draw in Obuasi where they were profligate – blowing off an avalanche of gilt-edged opportunities.
It was the reason many predicted an ominous upshot during their trip to Ouagadougou for the return encounter. And, it happened – even though they staged a stormy finish!
Bitter lessons, maybe, may have been gleaned by AshantiGold – 1997 CAF Champions League finalists.
Good news is that AshantiGold’s compatriots – Kotoko, progressed to the next stage of the CAF Champions League campaign without kicking a ball in the return leg fixture against Mauritanian outfit Nouadhibou, slated for the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Asanteman contingent had stormed the capital Nouakchott to battle the Mauritanians to an enchanting 1-1 draw – the home team grabbing a redeemer through a controversial spot-kick, we are told.
The return leg in Accra was billed to be tensely dodgy, though Kotoko were odds on favourites to cruise through after the full duration.
But as it turned out to be, the Porcupine Warriors did not have to sweat and kick a ball to qualify for the next stage as issues of COVID-19 concerns against Nouadhibou smiled favourably on the Ghanaians.
The tie, originally slated for last Saturday, had to be pushed to Sunday (following day) because two Nouadhibou players were said to have tested positive for coronavirus. Interestingly, another mandatory re-test on the day of the match remained the same.
It was a big blow to the Mauritanians who had travelled to Accra with 16 players and were not prepared to play without their two ‘Covid’ players.
The CAF officials, therefore, had the Hobson’s choice of declaring Nouadhibou losers of the game as they awarded a 2-0 win for Kotoko to secure a 3-1 aggregate win.
As expected, the Mauritanians did not take kindly to the decision, suspecting conspiracy between Kotoko and the match officials – insisting that the two players in the centre of the storm, had passed an original test conducted at the airport on their arrival into the country.
Well, the rationale behind this piece is to caution Kotoko to take a leaf from this incident and get fully loaded for bear as they continue to embark on this campaign.
They are likely to go far in the competition if they play more effectively and gird their loins for more taxing battles ahead in a competition carved for champions.
Indeed, if for any reason Kotoko should crash out of the campaign, it must not be attributed to COVID-19 as their opponents suffered. It must be blamed on a lousy performance, ill-luck or something else.
Ghana has not been without a continental club champion in any form since Hearts of Oak’s CAF Confederation Cup conquest in 2004 – and that is not good enough for a country considered a continental powerhouse.
That is why Kotoko must put their nose to the grindstone a bit more, be focused and committed to the grand cause of saving the face of the country.
PlainTalk with JOHN VIGAH
Officials from the Ghana mission in the United Arab Emirates have paid a morale-boosting visit to the camp of the Black Queens.
The delegation, made up of Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto, Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai and Head of Transport Anas Shaibu, visited the team to assure them of the government’s support and commitment to their safety and welfare.
During the visit, the officials interacted with the team and offered words of encouragement, urging the team to remain focused on the tournament despite concerns surrounding unrest in parts of the UAE.
Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto emphasised that the Ghanaian government, through its diplomatic mission, is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to ensuring the team’s safety throughout their stay.
“We want the team to stay calm and focus on the competition. The government and the embassy are doing everything possible to ensure your safety and well-being.” he said.
Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai also reiterated the mission’s readiness to provide any assistance required by the team during the tournament.
Leadership of the team expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and motivating.
With the backing of Ghana’s diplomatic officials in the UAE, the Black Queens remain determined to represent the country proudly and deliver strong performances in the Pink Ladies Cup.
The Black Queens have arrived in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the upcoming Pink Ladies Cup in Dubai. The team touched down at the Dubai International Airport via Emirates Air on Wednesday morning and were warmly received by the competition’s organising officials.
The squad will be based at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, where they will begin their final preparations for the tournament. Organised as part of the international women’s football calendar, the Pink Ladies Cup is expected to feature four national sides using the competition to assess their squads and fine-tune strategies for upcoming tournaments.
Ghana will open their campaign today with a clash against Hong Kong, while Russia and Tanzania face off in the other opening match.
The Black Queens are then scheduled to return to action on March 3, when they take on Russia in a match expected to test them against a physically strong opponent.
The final round of games will be played on March 6, with Ghana closing their campaign against Tanzania at 9:00 pm.
With three matches in eight days, the tournament promises to be a crucial phase in Ghana’s preparation, as the Black Queens aim to return to continental action sharper, stronger, and more competitive.
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