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ACN 2017: The match before the final

    All over Africa, expectations and predictions have gone wild as we await the final matches of the Africa Cup of Nations 2017 today, 29th October, 2017. The men’s team of Egypt shall lock horns with the defending champions and Africa’s highest ranked team, South Africa. In the women’s category, South Africa will face Ghana who are second to them in the Africa ranking. Egypt are 19th in the FIH team ranking and 2nd in Africa while South Africa are placed 15th position in the world and 1st on the African continent. Clearly, it could be argued openly that South Africa with a higher rank, stand a greater chance and more likely to win but it should be noted worthily of their recent encounters and how each team fared. In the last Africa Cup of nations held in South Africa in 2015, Egypt lost closely to South Africa even after taking the lead. The Champions punished Egypt and claimed the title on home soil after a very tensed game. Moving forward, these two Africa giants met in the Semi-Finals of the World League Series in Johannesburg where the Egyptians held the South Africans to the ground in a 2-1 scoreline.   However both teams have had the greatest exposure among teams in Africa and could make up a surprising scoreline wherever they meet. Coming into the ongoing tournament being staged here in Ismailia, these teams drew 3-3 in their encounter and this sends a message across that anything at all should be expected in the final. Aside the trophy, Africa’s sole ticket to the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018 is also as stake. In a wild guess, some fans add home support to the odds of winning a game of hockey, but could this really bring forth results? Ghana’s female team lost to South Africa 3-0 earlier in the tournament and are yet to meet again in the final. Ghana has never won against South Africa in the women’s category as far as the last decade. A review of the 2015 final saw South Africa beat the Black Sticks by 3-0 to clinch their 6th title. Ghana are second to South Africa on the continent while Ghana is 32nd in the FIH World ranking, with South Africa placing 13th. With South Africa booking a ticket after qualifying through the Hockey World League in Johannesburg, the pressure is on Ghana as they seek to qualify for their first ever world cup. Maybe it could be clearly predicted of the winner but can Ghana pull a surprise, or South Africa will go on to make it 7 out of 7. Ghana will take on Kenya for the bronze medal in the men’s category while Nigeria will face Kenya in the women category. By : DENNIS ABABIO JNR | Source: isports360.com

    Pharaohs bow to Kenya

      The final round of matches at the on going Africa Cup of Nations took place today 28th October, 2017  as defending champions South Africa defeated Ghana in the final before the final while Kenya beat Host Egypt to set up a bronze medal match with Nigeria. Ghana’s female Black Sticks faced South Africa in the first match of the day. With both teams securing a place in the final, it was a match to decide who emerges group winners. Cells Evans put the Champions in front from a penalty corner in the 3rd minute to put pressure on the West African lads. The Black Sticks of Ghana conceded another goal in the 7th minute through Davids Illse who coincidentally was wearing the jersey number 7. The first quarter ended 2-0 in South Africa’s favour.  O’Connor Jessica increased the tally 3 minutes into the 2nd quarter to take the game beyond the reach of Ghana. The 3rd and final quarter produced no goal as both teams played with caution to reserve the best for the final tomorrow. South Africa won the game by 3-0 to top the group. Kenya played Egypt in the women’s second game of the day and final game of the group. Host Egypt lost their 3rd game of the tournament to miss out on the bronze medal match. After two consecutive heavy losses to Ghana and South Africa, the Host came in strong to earn a point and secure a spot in the 3rd place match. The defence of both teams looked solid as the match travelled the first 3 quarters barren. Kenya’s Nekesa Juma stepped up to convert a penalty corner in the 47th minute to put the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium in a moment of silence. The host fought back to equalise but their efforts proved futile as team Kenya went on to win the match by a lone goal. South Africa finished as group winners with Ghana coming in 2nd to set up a final match with the champions. Can they redeem themselves or it will be 7 titles in a row for South Africa? Kenya face Nigeria in the 3rd place match after beating host Egypt.

      Hopes of Black Sticks painted black

        A repeat of the 2015 final was confirmed in the last round of group matches for the men. South Africa thrashed Kenya in the first match while Egypt humbled Ghana to secure a place in the final. The final showdown will be a record 8th time the top two ranked teams will meet. Defending Champions, South Africa made it to their 8th consecutive final of the Africa cup of nations with a win over Kenya in the men’s first game of the day. The champions who were held by Egypt on Thursday, came in strong to win and book a place in the final . Eustice Jethro (South Africa) opened the gates with his first goal of the tournament in the 18th minute. The tally was doubled a minute later by Rosenburg Reza but Wakhura Constant gave a quick reply to reduce the deficit for Kenya in the 19th minute. The goal rejuvenated the Kenyans to go all out and surprise the Champions but Horne Keenan dashed those hopes as he restored the two goal lead in the 34th minute before Daniel bell made it 4-1 in the 37th minute from a penalty corner. Robinson Jonathan made it 5 for the champions in the 46th minute from another penalty corner before Horne grabbed his brace in the 48th minute to make it 6-1 in favour of South Africa. In the men’s final group game, it was Ghana’s black sticks with the aim of bringing an end to the South Africa-Egypt final dominance who came up against host Egypt. Egypt led the group with 7 points while Ghana were 3rd with 6 points hence a win for either sides will secure a place in the final with South Africa. Both teams knowing this, came in tactically disciplined and this was evident in the first and second quarters as it ended barren. Atef Hamada broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute and added another in the 38th minute both from a penalty corner to make it 2-0 in favor of Egypt. Zaki Mohammed made it 3 in the 46th minute with El-Ganaini Ahmed rounding up a perfect victory from another penalty corner in the 51st minute. Egypt won the game by 4-0. The very obvious final comes into being as South Africa makes a date with Egypt on Sunday 29th October,  2017 while Ghana also face Kenya earlier in the 3rd place match which is also becoming a familiar fixture. By: DENNIS ABABIO JNR. | Source: isports360.com

        Africa Hockey Federation Congress Dinner 2017

          The evening before the 21st Ordinary Congress of the African Hockey Federation was the presentation of some special awards and dinner.Some of the dignitaries present were the executive board of the Africa Hockey Federation, Presidents of National Associations, Dignitaries from International Hockey Federation and some Invited guests within the Field Hockey Fraternity. The awards presented at the ceremony were to some individuals for their meritorious service to the Africa Hockey Federation and the International Hockey Federation. Jason McCraken, the Chief Executive Officer of the International Hockey Federation was also present. The Umpire of the Year Award presented in memory of Ayman Adham Amin went to two umpires from South Africa. Notable of these awardees were, Michelle Joubert. An umpire who officiated the Rio Olympic Games Women Final and the World League Series Final in 2016. She has also been appointed to officiate the World League Series final in Auckland, New Zealand. Verily, she happens to be a well respected umpire all around the world. Peter Wright, who officiated in The Hockey World League Semi Final in Johannesburg (July 2017) , Pan American Games and the Junior World Cup in India was also honoured. Moreover, former Ghana Hockey Association’s President, Oko Nikoi Dzanie was presented with a Special Award for his contribution to Africa Hockey. The 21st Ordinary Congress of the Africa Hockey Federation commences at 9am today. There shall also be the Extraordinary congress meeting and Elections also. by Ababio Dennis | Source: isports360.com

          ACN 2017 – Host Nation holds Defending Champions and Nigeria beaten again

            Match 7 in the men’s category of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ismaila, Egypt was one of the toughest games in the competition so far. The Egyptians locked horns with the defending champions, South Africa in a fierce encounter at 15:00 on 26th October, 2017. The match which featured the first and second ranked men hockey teams in Africa, drew a lot of fans around Ismailia to the Suez Canal Hockey Stadium. The first quarter of the match offered few chances to both sides but neither of them able to register a goal.The first goal came in the 23rd minute from Paton Taine to put South Africa in the lead. The Egyptians who tried to restore parity, found the ball in their post again 5 minutes later through Ntuli Nqobile. The Champions who had taken a comfortable lead and a foot in the final on sunday, were caught off guard when the host took an advantage of a penalty stroke to reduce the tally. The first half ended 2-1 in favour of South Africa. Egypt came back strong in the 3rd quarter and levelled the game through Ahmed Gamal in the 35th minute. ElGanainy Ahmed scored in the 41st minute to put the host in front for the first time in the game. South Africa’s skipper Tim Drummond who is determined  in lifting this year’s trophy, brought the Champions back into the game in the 48th minute. With the match tied at 3-3, the final minutes of the game gave rise to tension around the stadium as the winner of this game had a higher chance of playing in Sunday’s final. The game ended 3-3 with both teams staying top of the table with 7 points and a game each to play. Team Nigeria who had lost their earlier 3 matches in this competition, took on the Blacksticks of Ghana in the last match of the day. The Nigerians surprisingly took the lead in the first 10 minutes of the 1st quarter through Fowobaje Oluwatosin. That proved to be their only goal as the Black Sticks came back very strong in the 2nd quarter and beyond. Damalie Luke started the scoring for Ghana when he equalised in the 21st minute before Ankomah Emmanuel’s 27th minute strike put Ghana in the lead heading into the first half of the game. In the last quarter, the Black Sticks continued from where they stopped as goals from Abbiw Charles, Ntiamoah Alfred and Ernest Opoku in the 45th, 46th and the 49th minutes respectively completed a resounding victory for them. The loss which was Nigeria’s fourth in as many matches meant they are out of the tournament. With last round of matches to play, Egypt are 1st with 7 points same as South Africa but a superior goal difference. Ghana who will like to break the Egypt-South Africa final jinx, lie 3rd with 6 points and a game with Egypt on Saturday. Kenya come in 4th place with Nigeria taking the 5th place spot.

            South Africa and Ghana continue winning streak

              Africa’s top two ranked teams put up impressive performances to beat their respective opponents on match day four(4). The race to lift this year’s Africa Nation Cup continued as South Africa and Ghana beat Host Egypt and Nigeria respectively. Defending Champions South Africa beat Host Egypt by 11-0 in the first match of the day to secure a place in the final with a game to spare. The Host, after losing by 6-0 to Ghana yesterday, were assured of another heavy loss at the hands of the South Africa as Skipper Sulette Damons put the Champions ahead in the 5th minute before Chamberlain Dirkie added a second in the 10th minute. Van Jaarsveldt scored in the 13th minute to make it three(3) for South Africa before 1st quarter ended. Bobbs got her name on the score sheet in the 25th minute to make it 4-0. Baxter increased the tally in the 35th minute before Chamberlain grabbed her brace in the 38th minute to make it 6-0. The game was beyond the reach of Egypt when Du Plesis scored her first in the 41st minute with Damons grabbing her brace in the 45th minute to make it 9-0. Chamberlain scored two goals in the 48th minute before Du Plesis rounded up with her 2nd in the 59th minute to send the Champions into their 7th consecutive final. It was an all West African affair as Ghana’s black sticks locked horns with the greens of Nigeria in the women’s second game. The Ghanaians needed a win to secure a place in the final while the Nigerians were in a fight for the 3rd place match should they win. The 1st two quarters proved so tensed as both teams set out a defensive display to deny the other a goal. The Ghanaians who needed a win to increase their chance of qualifying for next years world cup, drew first blood through Lydia Afriyie in the 33rd minute. The tempo of the game changed after the goal as the Black Sticks mounted pressure to add a 2nd and cement their lead but the defence of the Nigerians were equally up to the task and make sure that Afriyie’s 33rd minute strike was all they will concede.  The game ended with Ghana narrowly beating Nigeria to set up a cagey final with South Africa. South Africa and Ghana with wins today sit top of the table with 9 points each and secure a place in the final. Kenya come in 3rd with 3 points with Nigeria 4th with a point. Host Egypt after conceding 17 goals in 2 games stay at the bottom also with a point. By Wiseman Ayettey | Source: isports360.com

              Kenya edge out Nigeria, Ghana beats host Egypt

                Ghana’s female Black Sticks continued to impress in this year’s tournament with a massive win over host nation Egypt while Kenya edged out Nigeria in the 2nd game of the day. It was a day to forget for host Egypt as they succumbed to a 6-0 heavy loss at the hands of Ghana at the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium. The game started with the West Africans mounting pressure on the host to get a win and close the gap on leaders South Africa. Vivian Narkuor scored in the 10th minute to give Ghana the lead. Elizabeth Opoku increased the tally a minute later for the West Africans. Narkuor scored again in the 18th minute to register her brace and take the game beyond the reach of Egypt. Nafisatu Umaru increased the tally to four(4) in the 22nd minute with a drag flicked penalty corner before scoring another penalty corner in the 44th minute to get her brace and join the likes of South Africa duo Chamberlain Dirkie and Sulette Damons as tournament top scorer with 3 goals. Emelia Fosuaa got her name on the score sheet for the first time to round-up a comprehensive win for Ghana. Kenya and Nigeria both losers on match day 2 , locked horns in the last game of the day. The game touted ‘meeting of losers’, was a highly contested one as a loss will mean goodbye in this tournament to either teams. The game travelled the first 3 quarters without any goal being registered. With a minute of regular time to play, Amutebi scored the first and only goal of the game which saw the Kenya team register their first win of the tournament and increase their chance of playing in the medal zone. The game ended 1-0 in favour of Kenya. Ghana moves 2nd behind South Africa with same points but are only separated with goal difference. Kenya moves above Egypt into 3rd with their win over Nigeria. The women in green sit bottom of the table with a single point.

                Kenya deepen woes of Nigeria, Ghana beaten narrowly by South Africa

                  Match day 3 matches of the men category in the Africa Cup of Nations kicked off at 1pm with Kenya and Nigeria battling for supremacy at the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium. The Nigeria men who had lost 2 matches in a row to the two top ranked teams on the continent namely South Africa and Egypt, were determined to amass the maximum 3 points from the Kenyans who they saw as an equal match. The first two quarters saw no goal as both teams were careful to end this match with at least a point. However, the third quarter saw the Nigerians register the first goal of the game courtesy John Micheal in the 39th minute. Onyango restored parity for the Kenyans 5 minutes later. The game continued till the last quarter when Kenya’s Wakhura scored in the 56th minute to put them in the lead. The game ended 2-1 in favour of Kenya. Ghana and South Africa in the second encounter brought nothing other than tension in the atmosphere. The Ghanaians rat-chased the defending champions in a very fierce encounter. South Africa conceded an early goal in the 1st minute from a classical finish courtesy Michael Baiden. The South Africans were quick to level the scoreline in the 8th minute through Ntuli before Paton’s 9th minute goal put them in front. The second quarter had a balanced performance from both teams and neither of them able to score. Ernest Opoku took advantage of a penalty corner awarded Ghana in the 44th minute to level the score. The game continued into the very early minutes of the 4th quarter when Paton scored his 2nd goal of the day to give the Champions an advantage. The game ended 3-2 in favor of South Africa who had a real tough time with the Black Sticks. Host nation Egypt lead the men’s division with South Africa in 2nd. Both teams share the same points but a majority goal difference puts the host ahead of the Champions. Ghana are placed 3rd with Kenya in 4th. Nigeria lie bottom with no point after three games. By: DENNIS ABABIO JNR. Source: isports360.com