Source: isports360.com | December 21, 2018 Defending champions El-Sharkia booked a place in the final of the 2018 ACCC after seeing off Exchequers in an action-packed encounter at the Abuja National Stadium, Hockey Pitch – package B. The champions who are in search of their 24th title depicted why they are the record title holders. However, GRA restored hope for team Ghana as they came from behind to beat Eastern Company in the last game of the day. The match day began with Exchequers hoping to get a win in their fixture against El-Sharkia. The 2018 Ghana League Champions who needed a win so badly in order to bolster their chances of playing in the final started on a convincing note. With so much pressure mounted inside the opening minutes, Exchequers were awarded a penalty corner and after three shots on target, finally got the opener from Arthur Ebenezer. El-Sharkia were caught off guard and for the first time in this competition, the Champions concede first. The lead did not last long as Hussain Reda leveled the scores two minutes to end the first quarter. Exchequers went ahead again from the penalty corner and this time had it right on the first attempt courtesy Ankomah Emmanuel. End of First Quarter and the Ghana League Champions led 2-1. The story was different in the second quarter though. Two goals inside five minutes and El-Sharkia took the lead; Ahmed Ahmed Mohamed getting the equaliser before skipper Edres El Sayed made it 3-2 with a well-taken penalty corner. Ankomah Emmanuel scored his second of the day to tie the game. El-Sharkia restored their lead after Osmanu Mohammed in defence for Exchequers gifted Mohamed Ahmed a pass and the Egyptian International made no mistake to slot the ball home. Exchequers once again equalized with Ankomah Emmanuel this time the provider setting up Elikem Akaba. Exchequers began mounting pressure on El-Sharkia who seemed to be exhausted. Exchequers thought they had won a penalty corner after the ball hit the foot of Edres Sayed in the scoring circle but umpire Jibrin Kolo denied them that great moment. Fast break from defense and Sharkia won a penalty corner. Edres converted to register his fifth goal of the tournament. Mohamed Ahmed got his third of day after a defensive blunder from Exchequers five minutes from time. Elikem Akaba reduced the deficit for Exchequers in the 56th minute with the final four minutes dicey for both clubs. Exchequers were yet again denied a penalty corner by Umpire Jibrin Kolo to send the entire Exchequers bench into wild mood. With too many men upfront, Exchequers left their defence open and Ahmed Gamal took advantage of an Osmanu Mohammed slip to put the game beyond reach for the bankers. Twelve goals scored and El-Sharkia were heading to their third final in four years. The second spot in the final was to be decided in no other than the next game between Eastern Company and GRA. With both teams sharing the spoils when they met in Ghana 2017, this was a decider for them. The Ghanaian club with the pride and hope of the entire nation on their shoulder knew they must deliver and not disappoint. Any other result apart from a GRA win will send Eastern Company to the final irrespective of GRA’S outstanding game and that the Ghanaians could not afford. The match stared on a very low tempo with both teams very tactical and weary of the other. The first two quarters were exhausted and the deadlock was yet to be broken. However, the final 20 minutes of the game had more to offer than the opening 40. Eastern Company were awarded penalty corner after Ernest Opoku impeded Ibrahim Amr who was on the counter break for Eastern company. Tournament’s top scorer, Aboutaleb Mahmoud took the responsibility and with an excellent drag flick gave Eastern the lead. GRA regrouped and with Eastern down by two men began mounting pressure. It yielded and they were awarded a penalty corner. Salya Nsalbini stepped up to take and GRA leveled. Eastern Company were about rejoicing with a minute to play when Akuamoah Micheal broke their hearts with with a brilliant strike. 59 minutes played and GRA were historically one foot away in the final. The match ended with the entire stadium in jubilant mood as an all Egyptian final was not going to be. GRA still maintain their third position, one point behind Eastern Company but the Ghanaians have a game in hand. MATCH DAY FIVE RESULTS Exchequers 5 – 7 El-Sharkia Eastern Company 1 – 2 GRA

  Scores for Day 4

Source: isports360.com | December 20, 2018 GRA women finally found their scoring spark at the ACCC 2018 with a 7-0 victory over Delta Queens to edge closer to the final. The Champions who had managed just a single goal in three outings hit seven past the Nigerians who were not productive on the day. Telkom also secured a place in the final with a 2-0 win over another Nigerian club, Kada Queens who still remain the side yet to a score in the competition with Ghana Police sweeping aside USIU in the third game of the day. It was Telkom who took on Kada in the first match of day four played at the Abuja National Stadium. The game was highly watched by Ghanaians who were expecting a draw in order to see both Ghanaian clubs in the final for the first time but it wasn’t so. The former champions were made frustrated in the opening quarters of the game. A defensive setup by Kada Queens kept the attack of Telkom quiet. Kada who knew their stand in the competition; not playing in the final irrespective of the outcome of this match, played with nothing at stake. Limited to movements just inside their area, the Nigeria Women Super League Champions failed to create a single scoring opportunity with Telkom dominating throughout. Telkom thought they had taken the lead few minutes to the end of the third quarter when Jacqueline Wangechi’s goal from the penalty corner was disallowed after the shot (first at goal) failed to hit the back board. The players protested but the decision of the umpire stood and the players headed for the break with the score barren. Two minutes inside the final quarter and the former champions scored again from the penalty corner this time around from the stick of Audrey Amooh taking her overall tally to four. The goal stood this time around and Telkom held onto the lead till the final whistle to record their four victory of the campaign. With Telkom claiming a spot in the final, GRA could not afford anything another than a win in their match against Delta Queens. Ten minutes inside the game and the defending champions were up by two goals. Coffie Ernestina slotted home a 6th minute penalty corner before Inkoom Getrude added the second two minutes later. Lydia Afriyie added a third after an excellent team play down the right flanks spearheaded by Linda Effah. The game seemed out of hands for Delta as they conceded four goals inside the first 20 minutes- Brenya Maanyembim with the easiest of efforts getting the fourth goal. GRA dominating the game created so many chances and got the fifth and sixth in the 40th and 42nd minute courtesy Effah Linda and Elizabeth Opoku. The home crowd started cheering the GRA ladies who were playing so well and ruthless in front of goal. Brenya grabbed her brace on the stroke of the end of third quarter to sum up a free scoring day for GRA. The third game of the day was an encounter between Ghana Police and debutants USIU. After beating Kada queens on match day three, the law enforcers from Ghana were charged up with much confidence heading into the game. With the knowledge that a win draws them closer to a place in the final depending on the game between GRA and Telkom, Police ladies started the game the brighter side. They were rewarded with an early goal due to their determination and composure- Nafisatu Umaru with her second goal of the competition getting the opener. Sarfoa Martha doubled the lead two minutes into the second break. Pauline Amutebi reduced the deficit on the stroke of half-time from a penalty stroke. The goal restored their confidence as they pressurized Police in the early stages of the third quarter. Nafisatu scored her second of the day to dash the hope of USIU and give Police a slight advantage heading to match day five. MAYCH DAY FOUR RESULTS Kada Queens 0 – 1 Telkom GRA 7 – 0 Delta Queens USIU 1 – 3 Ghana Police.

Source: isports360.com | December 18, 2018 The curtains were brought down on match day three with two entertaining games. Spectators were treated to the most exciting day so far both off and on the field of play pertaining to the ACCC 2018. Kada Stars and Niger Flickers once again the losing sides after defeats to Eastern Company and El-Sharkia respectively. With the Exchequers, GRA game postponed, the day witnessed two games in the male category. Kada Stars who are yet to earn even a point at the ACCC played host to former ACCC champions, Eastern company. Four minutes inside the game and Eastern Company were up. An ifringement on Elnaggar inside the scoring circle attracted a penalty corner and Aboutaleb Mahmoud converted to give Eastern the lead. The lead was increased minutes later through Yassin Mohamed who added a personal second and Eastern’s third on the 10th minute mark. A quick response from Kada brought back the tempo and competitiveness of the game. A Kelvin Linus double within two minutes gave Kada a lifeline. The second quarter started with Kada looking more dangerous creating so many chances but failing to capitalize on it. ‘We should have kept our composure on the field after getting both goals but the zeal to get an equaliser let us down and we conceded the fourth. The early goals also made us a bit unsettled but we still managed to get into the game ‘, Abdullahi Ndana told isports360 after the game. Just when Kada though they were back into the game, Aboutaleb grabbed his brace from a fast break and great team play. The fifth was added on the 23rd minute courtesy Elnaggar Ahmed. John Pete managed to get his name on the scoresheet with a third goal for Kada Stars but that was all time could permit as the Nigerian league champions succumbed to their third loss in three games. The second game was similar to the first in terms of origin of clubs and the game’s competitiveness as well as the idea of a comeback which wasn’t so. Niger Flickers who had also lost their first two games engaged El-Sharkia in an attempt to revenge for fellow country club, Kada Stars . Two minutes on the clock and El-Sharkia were infront; Similar to that of Eastern – Flickers match, the opener from a penalty corner but this time was from the stick of Ali Hamada. Ahmed Gamal made it 2-0 in the 11th minute but Shanwilu Muazu’s 24th minute strike restored the hopes and confidence of Niger Flickers. Two penalty corners in succession and the Flickers thought they had equalized but Tosin’s double effort first going wide and the second straight at the goalkeeper who parried it away. It was the turn of Sharkia from a penalty corner and the defending champions restored their two-goal lead through Edres Mohamed. Ahmed Gamal scored again in the final quarter to put the game beyond Flickers’ reach. However a 55th minute penalty stroke converted by Kolo Adamu meant the final 5 minutes was decisive. Niger Flickers pushed all men upfront in search of a third and possibly the equaliser but all efforts fruitless. “We played so well but yet again failed to utilize our chances and penalty corners. We came back into the game after going down by two goals and allowed them to score two more goals. Our penalty corner conversion rate has been poor and that has been the main reason why we lost all three games”, Isah Mohammed in an interview with isports360 after the game. MATCH DAY THREE RESULTS Eastern Company 5 – 3 Kada Stars El-Sharkia 4 – 2 Niger Flickers

Source: isports360.com | December 17, 2018 The female category witnessed a day of lacal derbies as clubs from the same country faced each other. Two of the three local derbies ended in a pulsating goalless draw as Ghana’s duo of GRA and Police ladies as well as the Nigerian derby- Delta Queens and Kada Queens failed to produce goals during their clashes. The home crowd were in the stadium in their numbers to cheer on their clubs as they faced each other but great defending from both sides ensured the points were shared. The action started with defending champions GRA facing their eternal rivals Ghana Police ladies. The champions who had been held earlier in the competition by Kada Queens needed the maximum from this encounter in order to keep their dream alive of retaining the trophy. With their previous record against them, Police ladies knew the task ahead and in order to stay in the race, will have to put in extra effort to match their local rivals. Police started the game on one bright note mounting pressure on GRA who looked not settled into the game. Similar to any local derby, the game was very aggressive with both teams not giving the other breathing space. GRA regrouped and came back strongly into the third quarter turning the tables around but the resilience of the Police defence kept the GRA attackers at bay. Four penalty corners in the game and no goal was registered as both teams settled for a point each. The Kenyan derby unlike the first game produced four goals as Telkom came out victorious over USIU. Both teams stepped onto the field very determined but it was the record title holders who struck first. Audrey Amooh got the opener inside the first two minutes before doubling the lead three minutes into the second quarter. USIU who are making their debut in the competition managed to come back into the game but failed to utilize their chances. Jacqueline and Nekesa added a goal each in the last quarter to sum up a convincing victory for Telkom. The final game of the day was an encounter between the host clubs- Delta Queens and Kada Queens. The stadium became lively as both teams made their way onto the field of play. There were cheers from the stands on every move by both clubs with Delta the dominant side on the day. Billo Esther was very instrumental for Delta as she saturated the Kada midfield. Kada Queens who had been quiet throughout the game managed to earn a point after the final whistle. The 2018 ACCC continues tomorrow with Delta Queens hosting Telkom in the first game of the day. GRA ladies then play USIU followed by Ghana Police engaging Kada Queens.