Jordan Ayew was the captain the Black Stars for the first time, but he failed to lead the team to qualify for the next Afcon and had to wait for other matches when they lost against Sudan through a last minute goal.

Coach CK Akonnor gave the Crystal Palace striker the chance to lead the team which could not jell nor create chances, let alone score.

Captain Andre Ayew and his deputy Thomas Partey are all out of the game due to injury, while second deputy Richard Ofori was also suspended so Akonnor had to fall on Jordan Ayew as his leader for the game.

Ayew wore the captain’s armband for the first time since making his debut in 2012, but his team lost.

Ghana now has 9 points, same as South Africa while Sudan has six points.

The lose to Sudan could not guarantee the Black Stars a place at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022.

Full squad:

Fatau Dauda, Nicholas Opoku, Abdul Baba Rahman, Alexander Djiku, John Boye, Afriyie Acquah, Mubarak Wakaso, Tariqe Fosu, Jordan Ayew, Caleb Ekuban, Jefferey Schlupp.

Reserves: Clifford Aboagye, Emmanuel Lomotey, Majeed Ashimeru, Ati Zigi Lawrence, Kwadwo Amoako, Joseph Aidoo, Samuel Owusu, Christopher Nettey, John Antwi

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Berekum Chelsea’s winger, Stephen Amankona scored the first goal of the 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League Season.

The attacker scored through a spot kick to hand the Bibires the lead against Legon Cities at the Accra Sports Stadium on November 13, 2020.

The first half ended in 1-1, after former player Jonathan Attuquaye put the host level.

From Elizabeth Alhassan

Legon Cities midfielder, Elvis Opoku was named Man of the match in the royals 1-1 home draw with Berekum Chelsea.

The ex Aduana Stars midfielder becomes the first player in the 2020/2021 Ghana premier league season to win this award.

Elvis, bossed the midfield with his mastery as he marked his debut for Legon Cities in style at the Accra sports stadium.

Stephen Amankona opened the scoring through a spot kick for Berekum Chelsea in the 22nd minutes of the first part of the game.

Jonah Attuquaye levelled the scoreline for the Royals when Baba Mahama was brought down in the penalty box.

From Elizabeth Alhassan

Von Nii Otto Cofie, CEO of Tune Africa. Organiers of the Okor Okpe Festival has thanked all who participated and contributed towards the event.

He expressed joy for the successful event and commended all riders for their discipline and comportment.

He said on his Facebook social media platform “On Behalf Of Tune Africa And Ga-Mashie Network We Will Like To Salute This Soldier For Their Support That Contribute To Make This Years Okor Okpe Festival A Successful One Michael Nii Yarboi Annan, Abraham Asare, Mcee Surjikal, Psalmist Nii Abbey, Emmanuel Mingle, Dizbouy Kasa, Iraq boys, Sammy Heywood Okine, CTV, GBC News, TV Africa, Omy TV , Naa Lamiorkor Mensah from Kasapa Fm, Malik Abbey, Raycharles Neequaye, crystal boys , Hon. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye - Official, James Town Police Commander, Joseph Commey and his team from Ghana red Cross And Everyone who took part in the Festival may God bless you all and give you health money and life for next year's Edition THANK YOU TO Albert Lovee Sossah Also for the Support And Sammy Holy Ghost And Theo Tee”.

Meanwhile there are plans t organize more events, and he appealed to corporate Ghana to support some of the progressive and educative programmes.

By Sammy Heywood Okine & Naa Amerley Commey

The MS Soccer Group in partnership with the education and recreation outfit, Books & Boots Foundation are organizing a talent hunt programme in the Central Region of Ghana.

A total of 52 juvenile and budding footballers have so far registered for the big MS Soccer International Talent Hunt in Cape Coast.

According to the organisers, registration ends on Thursday 19th November and registered players are expected to report on Friday 20th November at 2pm sharp.

Each player will be tested for COVID-19 on arrival and results expected same day.

Players who test negative would be re-registered and conveyed to the SRC hostel of the Cape Coast University to commence camping on the 20th of November.

The Nduom Sports Stadium at Elmina will host the trials and organised matches under the supervision of MS Soccer coaches.

MS Soccer Group have promised that the trials will provide participants with a genuine platform to show their skills and football mettle in anticipation of potential trial opportunities in Europe.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Frank Quist, Ministry of Youth & Sports Chief Director passes on

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Frank Quist is dead, according to media reports.

According to reports Quist passed away on Monday, November 16, 2020, after battling with illness.

Reports indicate that he was pronounced dead at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra where he was on admission for a couple of days.

Official report of his death is yet to be released by the family nor the Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as Ghana Football Association.

Quist recently received items for fumigation of all Ghana Premier League centres from Tebel Ghana limited, a Ghanaian company which specialises in disinfection and fumigation.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Asante Kotoko Brazilian star Fabio Gama has  landed  in Ghana with high hopes.

The 28-year-old midfielder has joined the Porcupine Warriors on a free transfer, having been without a club since parting ways with Swedish second-tier outfit Jonkoping Sodra in March.

Kotoko are Gama's third club outside Brazil, having also featured for Swedish fold Varnomo before moving on to Jonkoping.

The midfielder is the third Brazilian to sign for Kotoko in the last 15 years following Gleisson de Souza Ferreira in 2005 and Hermes da Silva in 2013.

From Elizabeth Alhassan

The Sports Writers’ Association of Ghana (SWAG) has noted with profound sadness the passing of former President Jerry John Rawlings on Thursday, November 12, after a short illness.

On behalf of the Council of Patrons, Executive Council and the entire membership of SWAG, the Association extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family, the government, the people of Ghana and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of which the former President was the Founder.

As Ghana’s longest serving Head of State, the SWAG and its members had many fruitful and memorable engagements with the former President at many state and public functions while he was in power.

As a man who loved sports, particularly boxing, President Rawlings ensured that the state created the enabling environment for sports, and for that matter sports journalism, to thrive and grow.

Even during the challenging years of the Rawlings-led PNDC regime where freedom of expression was not as entrenched as it is today, sports journalism had a field day during the so-called “culture of silence”, as sports newspapers were published without any hindrance.

To say that Ghana sports reached enviable heights during the 19-year reign of former President Rawlings is no exaggeration. In fact, a lot of landmark successes attained by Ghanaian sports stars and teams were achieved not just during his reign, but also because he took personal interest in the careers of these sports personalities and teams and ensured that the state provided the needed resources and support for them.

During the heady days of the PNDC regime, former President Rawlings ensured that sports became a rallying point for national cohesion and pride. Where necessary, he spared no personal or state support for our sports stars and teams to achieve continental or global success.

The success of Ghana’s Black Stars at the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations cannot be chronicled without pride of place for Rawlings, who months after leading the AFRC to power, overturned a decision by the deposed PNP administration headed by the late Dr. Hilla Limann and decided that the Black Stars be made to participate in the tournament. And it turned out to be the last African Cup won by the Black Stars to date.

While in power, the late President put the presidential plane and other resources at the disposal of Asante Kotoko which ensured the club won the 1983 Africa Clubs Championship for the second and last time.

Former President Rawlings donated the Baba Yara Cup to be competed for at the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA) Zone III tourney in Accra in 1986 which the Black Stars won and later defended successfully in Liberia.

As a huge fan of boxing, it came as little surprise that the former President took particular interest in the career of boxing icon Azumah Nelson whose bid for the world title he made a national project and provided all the necessary resources to enable Azumah win the WBC featherweight title in 1984 and reigned for over a decade as a three-time world champion.

Similar personal interest in the careers of boxers Nana Yaw Konadu whom the former President provided accommodation at the Peduase Lodge, a vehicle and other support saw Konadu becoming a two-time world champion to open the doors for the likes of Ike Quartey and the late Alfred Kotey to follow suit.

The SWAG recalls how the Black Starlets brought pride to Ghanaians as world under-17 champions in 1991 and then opened the doors for another global dominance in 1995, with the Black Meteors winning bronze at the 1992 Olympics Games in Barcelona, becoming the first African side to win an Olympic football medal.

Towards the end of his long reign, Ghana hosted and won the African under-20 championship in 1999 and the following year co-hosted the 2000 AFCON.

Under his leadership, the Black Queens qualified and played at the 1999 Women’s World Cup, with the Golden Rackets qualifying to the WTA Euro-Africa Zone whilst the Mobil Athletics was high on the national sports calendar.

Perhaps he could not have been given a more fitting farewell than for Accra Hearts of Oak to win the 2000 African Champions League title in Accra less than three weeks before President Rawlings handed over after exhausting two terms in office.

This is a man who not only served his country selflessly and birthed our fourth Republican Constitution but also ensured Ghana had a pride of place in sports.

The SWAG believes Rawlings’ death is a huge loss to Ghana as he was not just an embodiment of patriotism and loyalty but also an inspiration to many sports stars.

Rawlings has paid his dues for Ghana and SWAG prays that the Lord grants his soul eternal rest.

GNA

The Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) will stage a special boxing show on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at the new Bukom Square to honour the late ex President Jerry John Rawlings who died on November 12, 2020.,

According to Mr. Georgge Lanptety, President of the Federation, members of the Black Bombers, the national boxing team will thrill boxing fans with shadow boxing and sparring.

He stated that there would be juvenile and female boxing as well as entertainment by some of the local musicians at Bukom.

He expressed that J. J. Rawlings motivated many Ghanaian boxers as he was a keen boxing enthusiast, and one time team manager of the Ghana Armed Forces Boxing team.

He said the programme will start late afternoon and end in the evening. He appealed to all boxing fans to abide by all Covid 19 protocols before they will enter the venue.

The Black Bomber begun training under the guidance of coach Ofori Asare a few days ago, and they hope to put up a good show.

Olympic Games bound Samuel Takyi urged boxing fans to come and see his new skills and punching power.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana's number one tennis  player; Johnson Acquah and his partner Ronald Totimeh claimed a 6-3,6-7(4),13-11 victory over Japheth Bagerbaseh and his Nigerian partner; Onyeka Mbanu Fred to win the 8th edition of Tema Babolat Doubles Open Men's Doubles Title at the TOR Tennis Club House Com-8 over the weekend.

The Osu duo ( Acquah and Totimeh) opened a 4-1 lead, maintained their  composure and won the set with four breaks. In the second set, Bagerbaseh and Mbanu fought back from a set down to win the tiebreak 7-6(4).

Top seed Johnson Acquah and Totimeh raised their game during the super tiebreak. At 10 all they held their serve to 11-10 only for Mbanu to double fault his serve.  Speaking to ghanatennis.org Acquah and Totimeh said, "we are excited about winning because  we have  been looking forward to winning our first doubles title."

2008 Ghana's Davis cup duo Albert Arthur and Raymond Hayford showed their superiority in the men's social 1 finals with a 6-1,6-2 win over Prince Ablorh and Seth Mingle.

Frank Agyeman and Jacob Zwennes won the social 2 title after beating Volta River Authority (VRA) Tennis Club duo;Alfred Okang and Samuel Akotuah 7-5,6-2.

In the men's 50 plus saw GTF Executive board member Jesse Atu Desbordes and David Kisseh oust former GTF Executive board member; Paa Grant and Isaac Nartey 6-2,6-4. Desmond Ayaaba and  and Emmanuel Antwi paired to win the  boys 18 and under doubles title with 6-4,6-4 win over Bright Nortey and Eric Armah.

In the mixed doubles event saw Yvonne Bruce Tagoe and Reto Dennis Wicki paired to defeat Faustina Tagoe and David Naawu 6-4,7-6(4). Yvonne Bruce Tagoe then partnered Naa Mckorley to outwit Augustina Yamak and Faustina Tagoe 6-0.6-1.

Bernard Yawson and Isaac Tagoe partnered to win the wheelchair men's doubles beating Abdul Razak Nuhu and Abdullah Sofo 6-2,7-5.

The Tema Babolat doubles Open was sponsored by BabooSports with support from NLA, Eastern Quarries, Zapadni service, Holy Trinity and Health Farm- Sogakofe, Phoenix Insurance, MB Energy and logistics, Asamoah Gyan Foundation, Monolo Plant, Baboo Fitnees Center, Royal Nick Hotel, MILSTAFIE Auto Parts Dealers, The Tennis Chic, McEagle Enterprise, Hill View Hotel, The Tennis Chic and Beebies Company Limited

According to tournament organizer, Ismaila Lamptey, this year's Babolat Tema Doubles Tennis Open has been one of the best tennis events so far since the inception of Tema Babolat Doubles Tournament in 2013.

Over close 200 tennis players registered and what made it even more special was the inclusion of Wheelchair Tennis Category.

He added that, the level of competition was very high as compared to the previous years. The general dedication and commitment of all registered players was mind blowing. Some players had to stay to finish their matches at 9:45pm and reported early morning by 7am to continue with their matches.

Story: Gabriel Amoakoh