Source: isports360.com | December 12, 2018
After placing third in the last edition of the Africa Cup for Club Champions, GRA Men are eager to play in the grand final of this year’s ACCC. The club has promised Ghanaians of gold medal with intense preparations to back it.
Isports360 caught up with Head Coach, James Mason who assured the entire Ghanaian hockey populace of a place in the final.
Isports: When did training and preparation start?
James Mason (JM): We started training and preparing right after the last ACCC. We knew the task ahead after pacing third in the previous edition hence the need to start preparing early.
Isports: How do you assess the mental stability and fitness level of your players
JM: The players are in shape both mentally and physically and will take on any opponent. We have a well-planned training schedule to put the players in shape. We have also psyched them in a positive manner on how to approach each game and the tournament in general.
Isports: What new dimensions are you bringing on board as the coach
JM: We are going to play more attacking and try not to concede. I have worked on our goal scoring techniques as well as penalty corner conversion.
Isports: Which of the clubs do you see a s threat in your quest for continental glory?
JM: Aside El Sharkia of Egypt, I personally don’t see any club stopping us. We have really trained and prepared. We came back last year after 24 years in the wilderness and you all saw what we did; bronze medalist.
Isports: What should Ghanaians expect from GRA?
JM: They should expect nothing less than GRA men playing in the final and we also need most importantly their prayers and support.
Coach James Mason ahead of the championship has named his final 18-man squad with Ghanaian international Ernest Opoku and Skipper Salya Nsalbini all making the cut.
Squad in full:
Goalkeepers; Eugene Acheampong and Jeffery KariKari.
Outfield players; Ernest Opoku, Salya Nsalbini, Damalie Luke, Damalie Matthew, Stephen Ofosu Asamoah, Joshua Kwahu Peprah, Emmanuel Quansah, Samuel Afari, Abdul Malik, Arthur Ebenezer, Mike Akuamoah Boateng, Nick Hanson, Kwesi Anim Assah, Anthony Aikins, Mike Kofi Baiden and Christopher Dogbe.
Technical Team: James Mason (Head coach), Ebenezer Frompong (Assistant Coach), Charles Moses (Assistant Team Manager) and Kwesi Aiduonu (Team Manager).
The team is set to leave Ghana on Thursday 13th December, 2018.
The 2018 Africa Cup for Club Champions is slated for Abuja, Nigeria from 15th December – 22nd December at the National Stadium.
