Sports
Samartex, Nsoatreman cautious ahead of 2nd leg CAF ties
Emmanuel Mamah- Samartex FC
Ghana’s CAF continental club competition campaigners, Samartex FC and Nsoatreman FC, will look to finish off a successful first test in the first round of the preliminary stage of the Champions League and the Confederations Cup competitions this weekend when they take on their respective opponents.
Premier League champions, Samartex FC, will face Victoria United today in a second leg clash after earning a vital 1-0 away victory last week at the Douala Japoma Stadium in Cameroon.
FA Cup winners, Nsoatreman FC,also trounced visiting 10-man,Elect-Sports FC, from Chad 3-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Ghanaians expect to see both clubs sail through to the next round, but the coaches of the two sides are cautious.
For Samartex FC Head Coach, Nurudeen Amadu, tomorrow’s game will be approached as if there was no first-leg victory.
The winner of the tie will face either AS GardeNationaleNigérienne (AS GNN) of Niger or Raja Club Athletic in the second round in September. Raja Club Athletic take a 2-1 lead into the second leg this weekend in Morocco.
In faraway Cameroon today, Nsoatreman will aim to protect their 3-0 lead when they play as guests of Elect-Sports.
The coach of the side, Yaw Preko, has described the game as a very crucial one.
Coach Preko believes the game would be tough, judging by the standards Elect-Sports showed in the second half even with a man down.
The winner of the tie would face the winner of the CS Constantine of Algeria versus Police FC of Rwanda game. CS Constantine carry a 2-0 advantage into the second leg this weekend in Rwanda.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
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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