Sports

Late Ghanaian star, Christian Atsu, honoured during traditional remembrance

Published

2 years ago

March 6, 2023

Late Ghanaian international footballer, Christian Astu, was on Sunday, honoured by family, friends and the Ghanaian sports fraternity at a traditional remembrance ceremony which is often celebrated for the dead.

The day marked two weeks after news broke of the footballer demise in a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit eastern Turkey where he last played for Hatayspor football club.

Ghana’s Youth and Sports Minister, Mustapha Hamid, who spoke at the event, said the former Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton winger will be given a state funeral with the government taking up the cost.

“The funeral itself is going to be a state funeral, government is going to take over every cost because of the contribution of Christian Atsu to the development of Ghana football.

“And at the same time with the way and manner Christian Atsu passed on is something that is devastating to everyone and this is the only time that we all come together as a country to give our brother and son a befitting burial,” Hamid said.

Also speaking, Abraham Nkansah, the president of Die Hard Supporters Union, Supporters of the Black Stars, said in a glowing tribute:

“I remember him in 2015 African Cup of Nations in Gabon. In that tournament, Atsu won the best player of the tournament and he was so instrumental.”

The Atsu family has set March 17th as the date for the final funeral rites and burial of the 31-year-old Black Stars player.

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Sports

TP Mazembe pip AS FAR to win African Women’s Champions League

Published

20 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Isaac Dachen

TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) became the third team to win the 2024 African Women’s Champions League after narrowly defeating AS FAR of Morocco 1-0 in the final played on Sunday at the El Jadida’s Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi Stadium.

TP Mazembe claimed the title for the first time courtesy of a 10th minute penalty which was converted by Marlene Kasaj after AS FAR captain Aziza Rabbah handled the ball in the box.

The Congolese side should have doubled their lead six minutes later when an unmarked Merveille Kanjinga fired wide from seven yards out before the more fancied home team gradually grew into the match and looked to cancel the deficit and add to their continental triumph in 2022.

But AS FAR put in a subdued display and failed to test Mazembe’s goalkeeper Fideline Ngoy, with tournament top scorer Doha El Madani who had netted six goals in their run to the final, wasting their best chance as she sliced a first-half free-kick wide.

With the triumph, TP Mazembe carted home the giant trophy and a cheque for $600,000 (£479,000) after the prize money was increased for the fourth edition of the tournament, while the AS FAR went home with $400,000 (£319,000).

Sports

Wafcon 2024 draw throws up interesting pairings

Published

2 days ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The draw for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) holding in Morocco from July 5 to 26 next year which was held on Friday, threw up some interesting match-ups to look forward to as hosts Morocco found themselves in what has been described as the group of death.

The Atlas Lionesses will have to contend with Zambia, DR Congo and Senegal in Group A, while Group B has record 11-time continental champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria slugging it out with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana, just as current defending champions, Banyana Banyana of South Africa will do battle with Ghana, Mali and Tanzania in Group C.

The top two sides in each group will progress to the quarter-finals, alongside the two best third-placed finishers.

Though qualification for the 2024 Wafcon was completed in December last year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was forced to push the finals into 2025 because of international football’s congested calendar, which included the participation of Nigeria and Zambia at the Olympics.

Morocco also staged the 2022 edition of Wafcon, ending as runners-up, and former international Fatiha Laassiri believes home support will provide “a real advantage” next year.

Wafcon 2024 group draw with world ranking in brackets:

Group A: Morocco (hosts, 59), Zambia (62), Senegal (83), DR Congo (102).

Group B: Nigeria (36), Tunisia (78), Algeria (84), Botswana (153).

Group C: South Africa (holders, 50), Ghana (66), Mali (81), Tanzania (145).