ACCC 2017: El Sharkia show dominance to win 23rd ACCC title

    Group stage matches for Africa Cup for Club Champions ended with Niger Flickers facing Police Machine in the 5th and 6th position match, GRA going head to head with Trustees in the Bronze Medal Match with El Sharkia and Eastern Company playing their second debut in the finals. Niger Flickers after losing 2-1 Police Machine in their group stage debut, reversed the score to a 4-3 advantage. Danladi Umar was the man for Niger Flickers scoring a brace in the 4th and 33rd minute. His appearance in this match proved vital as he created numerous chances for the Flickers. Kelvin Linus added his 39th minute goal to keep Niger Flickers in the game. Michael Agbaegbu’s brace and Muiz bello goal in the 42nd minute wasn’t enough for Police Machine to secure them the 5th position as Danladi Umar’s goal in the 58th minute cemented The Flickers win for the first time in 4 years. Trustees Bronze medal was shutterd as GRA Men kept their composure to steal it easily from them. The 8 seconds penalty shoot out was left to decide the fate of the two teams as Trustees Johnny Botsio 34′ and GRA Luke Damalie’s 38 goal wasn’t enough to pick the Bronze Medal. GRA’s keeper, Eugene Acheampong saved 4 out of 5 whilst Trustees Karikari saved 2 out 5. This granted GRA momentum to become bronze medalist after 24 years of drought. The biggest ACCC continental rivalry saw defending champions face all time record holders in the finals. It was an Egyptian debut as El Sharkia faced Eastern Company. Their last encounter saw El Sharkia beat Eastern Company by 4 goals to 2. Match started with much expectation from El Sharkia but it was their opponents who showcased great defending and attacking techniques. Eastern Company tightened their defence to stop Ahmed Aly and Gobran attack. The first 30 minutes was intense for both team as penetration into opponents shooting circle proved futile. Edres Al Sayed’s only goal of the game came in the 42nd from s penalty corner. This goal stepped up the game for El Sharkia. Eastern Company tried but the final whistle caught them with no hope of retaining the title. El Sharkia with this counts their 23rd gold medal for this tournament. Source: isports360.com

    ACCC 2017: Ghana wins first ever gold at ACCC

      The 20th edition of the Africa Cup for Club Champions (ACCC) womens category came to an end yesterday with exciting and heartbreaking moments . The Theodosia Okoh hockey stadium was filled with joy and wild celebrations as GRA ladies emerged winners in the women’s category beating Telkom to give Ghana her first ever gold in the competition. The duel was a repeat of the 2017 final. The sides had also met earlier in the round robin stage with Telkom beating GRA by a lone goal. The final started with a much packed stadium and GRA dictating pace from the blast. With revenge on their minds, the ladies from GRA mounted huge pressure on Telkom but the defense and goalkeeper stood tall. The first two quarters saw GRA play great hockey but their front line failed to convert chances that came their way. Telkom on the other hand had their own share of the cake from penalty corners, but failed to make it count. The final quarter gave spectators what they desire with excitements, misses, suspensions and chances. In the 56th minute, goalkeeper Cynthia Onyango paried a hit from a GRA player into the path of Roberta Sarfoa who made no mistake to slot it home. The goal brought the entire stadium into rapturous mood as Ghana was on her way for a first ever gold medal in ACCC. The final whistle came and GRA ladies emerged champions ending the dominance of Telkom Kenya. Speaking to isports360 after the match, skipper of GRA Monica Grant expressed her joy in the victory. “We are so happy for this victory. We really prepared for this tournament and wanted to revenge on Telkom…thanks to all who came in to support us. We will defend this trophy come next year” she said. Ghana Police ladies also came third beating Kada Queens on penalties after the game ended 1-1. Strathmore did the double over Yobe Desert beating them 3-1 in the 5th and 6th place match. Final standings GRA Telkom Ghana Police ladies Kada Queens Strathmore University Yobe Desert Queens Other award winners were Nafisatu Umaru who won the top scorer award with 8 goals. Telkom’s Cynthia Onyango was adjudged best goalkeeper with Mavis Berko of GRA named the best player. The President of the Ghana Hockey Association thanked the Africa Hockey Federation for the privilege to host and also to all the teams, technical directors, tournament officials and media for making the 2018 ACCC a success. Source: isports360.com

      Police Machine resist oppression on Debut day

        The day of Men’s Local Debuts was set on Match Day 4 with Police Machine facing Niger Flickers, El Sharkia matching boots with Eastern Company and Trustees keeping up with local champions GRA men. Police Machine after 3 defeats, grabbed their first win to announce dominance in their local debut. The team outweighed Niger Flickers whose performance in this year’s competition proved outstanding in their last 3 games Michael Agbaegbu in the 33rd minute gave Police Machine the early lead scoring from another worked out counter attack. The defence of Niger Flickers couldn’t resist this attack as Agbaegbu dribbled pass 3 defence and landed the final touch into the post of the Flickers. Niger Flickers most promising player – Victor Kish levelled the score from a PC in the 54th putting pressure on Police Machine. Police Machine’s Michael Agbaegbu again, smashed Niger Flickers in the 59th minute after goalkeeper Abdulkadir blocked an earlier shot from him. Police Machine ended their consecutive streak of losses beating Niger Flickers 2-1. The second debut of the day was between continental champions – El Sharkia and defending champions Eastern Company. The Egyptian debut was a match of sorrow for defending champions after they conceded heavily to El Sharkia. Ahmed Ahmed Aly in the 3rd minute placed El Sharkia ahead of the game ending the first quarter in their favour. Gobran Mohammed shot at goal in the 24th minutes from a well-organized counter attack by Ahmed Ahmed Aly. Ibrahim Sameer added his name to the score sheet from a PC, placing it at the top left corner of Eastern Company’s post. Eastern Company joined the party of goals just before the end of the 3rd quarter. Aboutaleb Mahmoud converted his 4th PC to a goal putting smiles on the bench of Eastern Company. The smiles short-lived as Edres Al Sayed striked hard to the top left corner of Eastern Company’s post increasing their tally to 4. Aboutaleb Mahmoud doubled his name on the scoresheet from a penalty stroke in the 49th minute but wasn’t to pick a point. Defending champions – Eastern Company lost their first game to continental champions – El Sharkia by 4 goals to 2. Ghana’s debut increased the numbers at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey pitch as local champions GRA Men held Runners Up to 2 goal draw. GRA showed sportsmanship taking control of the game in the first 2 quarters. Prince Ashrifie and Damalie Luke in the 14th and 25th minute, secured GRA’s full control of the first two quarters cementing their dominance over Trustees. The jubilation ended for GRA in the 40th and 56th minute after Trustees talismen, Johnny Botsio and Osumanu Mohammed levelled the score. GRA’ struggled to make an impact as all balls hit into Trustee D left the field of play with nobody to convert them to goals. Table at the end of Day 4 Source: isports360.com