ACCC18 – “We will play in the final”, GRA’s James Mason

    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.

    ACCC18 – Ghana’s representatives : Six players to watch out for at 2018 ACCC

      Source: isports360.com | December 12, 2018 The continent is ready for yet another intriguing competition as domestic league champions and runners up in selected countries battle for the 2018 Africa Cup for Club Champions. Ghana will as usual be represented in the male and female category; Ghana Authority men and women, Exchequers Hockey Club and Ghana Police female Hockey team. The country for the first time ever won gold at the ACCC courtesy GRA women in 2017 and will be looking to repeat the feat in Abuja, Nigeria. With these clubs ready and set for Abuja, isports360 takes a look at players who can lead the West African giants to glory. ERNEST OPOKU (GRA MEN) He is regarded by far as the best defender in the country. The former Sports Writers Association of Ghana Male Hockey Player of the year will be the main force for the GRA male team. Despite losing the league title, Ernest played a major role in GRA’s qualification to Africa. The defender bagged 10 goals (8 from penalty corners) in the just ended GAHA league.  A penalty conversion rate of 79% makes him the dangerous player prior to the ACCC when it comes to penalty corners; the Gonzalo Peillat of Africa. NICHOLAS HANSON (GRA MEN) Not the most skillfully of players but undoubtedly the dangerous striker the nation has per the just ended league season. With 9 goals to his credit during the just ended GAHA league, Nicholas is the man to lead the attack for GRA in their quest for continental glory. The pace and power behind the ball doesn’t really matter, as soon as it gets into the scoring circle, you bet on Nick deflecting it past whoever is in the post. SALYA NSALBINI (GRA MEN) Experience always counts and that’s what Salya brings on board. The former Trustees Hockey player has formed a formidable defensive pair with Ernest Opoku as well bagging goals for GRA. A slow start to the league due to an injury and many thought the Ghanaian skipper has nothing to offer gain in hockey. However, with 6 league goals in the 2018 GAHA league, Salya regained the confidence from the GRA faithfuls as well as Ghanaians and is one of the dangers in the GRA side. ANKOMAH EMMANUEL (EXCHEQUERS ) He needs no introduction when it comes to hockey. The Ghanaian international was the top scorer the last time he played in the ACCC (2016) and with an amazing 2018 season, the Exchequers skipper is a must watch. He has the pace, very skillfully and also very intelligent on and off the ball. The skipper who managed 4 league goals in the 2018 GAHA league is part of the side that dethroned and strip GRA off their league title as well as other local trophies. SAMUEL AKPENE (EXCHEQUERS) The dissolution of Trustees Hockey Club turned out to be a blessing for Exchequers Hockey club with the acquisition of Samuel Akpene. The young lad displayed both defensive and attacking propects in the 2018 GAHA league. Samuel is on the verge of becoming the nation’s best defender and a national call up without him is impossible. With four league goals all coming from penalty corners as well as helping Exchequers concede the least number of goals in the league, the Bankers will surely be a force to reckon with if he plays. OSMANU MOHAMMED (EXCHEQUERS) Mohammed who also joined Exchequers from Trustees is another player to watch out for. The yet to be capped Ghanaian international was undoubtedly the league’s best performer forming the best defensive pair with Akpene. The duo played a major role in the Exchequers winning the league trophy. Very tactical and disciplined, Osmanu will be a plus as he always has for the bankers in Africa.

      Butali down Flickers in friendly ahead of ACCC 2018

        Source: isports360.com | December 4, 2018 Former Nigeria Super League Champions Niger Flickers yesterday were beaten by Butali Warriors in an international friendly played at the City Park Stadium, Nairobi. The game was part of a training tour being embarked by the Nigerian-based club in preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup for Club Champions. The match was a preparatory grounds for both clubs who will be competing in the 2018 ACCC. It was the Kenyans who started the game well with numerous chances inside the opening minutes. The Flickers were able to soak the pressure in the opening stages with great and experienced defending. The deadlock however was finally broken: Great passing coupled with excellent stick work and team work found Oburu Mtoto in the Flickers half who had no trouble slotting home the opener. It was all Butali after the opener mounting heaps of pressure on the Flickers. The scoreline could have been 2-0 minutes later but Mtoto could not find the target this time around missing out narrowly. With that intense nature of pressure, the lead had to doubled. A penalty corner was awarded to the Warriors and expert Tonninho Nyukuri with a drag-flicked effort into the top right corner made it 2-0. Maarten Fonteijn completed the scores with a beautiful solo effort. 3-0 winners and the Warriors looked set and ready for Abuja. Speaking after the game, Head Coach of Butali Warriors, Godfrey Wakachunga thanked Niger Flickers for a wonderful game and also his team for putting up a splendid performance. He further touched on his team’s readiness for the championship. “We played against a tough opposition and we are happy for the win. They played very well and aggressive especially in our half. We kept composure and our movement with the ball from all angles helped us a lot”, he said. “We have some work to do, the ACCC has stronger teams but this is a good indicator for us”, he added. ” Our major concern for now is transition between defense and midfield and also our conversion of penalty corners”, he concluded. The 2018 ACCC will be played from the 15th – 22nd December at the Abuja National Stadium, Nigeria.

        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