Soccer should unite the nation - Veep
Stats-box for African Champions League final
Tunisian shortlists 23 players for CAN 2002
Accra
(Greater Accra) 21 December 2001 - Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the Vice President on
Thursday tasked the Black Stars to win the 23rd African Cup of Nations in Mali
next January to cement the unity of the country.
Speaking
at the Black Stars ‘Benefit Nite’ at the La Palm Beach Hotel, during which
corporate bodies announced their sponsorship packages to the team, Alhaji Aliu
said, "the national spirit will sink, productivity will fall and our
economy will suffer" if the Stars fail to shine in Mali.
He
said in order to avoid that kind of situation the players must subject
themselves to camp discipline and obey the technical team so that they would
excel and bring honour and glory to themselves and the nation.
Describing
soccer as "a religion to the government", The Vice President said he
has absolute faith in the Black Stars to win, adding that there is no logic in
football that is why underdogs are able to upset the form guide during
matches.
Alhaji
Aliu praised corporate bodies and organisations, which support sports and
called on individuals and business institutions to join the sponsorship train
because "whatever is given will be faithfully applied."
In
his speech the Mr Edward Osei Kwaku, Minister of Youth and Sports reiterated
the government's appeal for sponsors because "sports cannot be financed by
government alone."
He
said there are many benefits in sports promotion and development as it offers
employment and gives the nation and the athletes fame and honour.
The
Minister said he was impressed with the high level of discipline and morale in
the team when he visited them at Winneba and is convinced that the players
would bring the African Nations Cup back to Ghana after 20 years.
Mr
Ben Koufie Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) said preparations
for Mali 2002 have been very expensive but assured the nation that things are
going on smoothly and that the "Black Stars would do well for a positive
change in Ghana football."
He
said CAN 2002 would be used as a stepping-stone to the 2006 World Cup to be
hosted by Germany.
In
all a total sponsorship package of about 4.6 billion cedis in cash and kind was
announced for the Black Stars. Topping the list of donors were kit sponsors,
Adidas whose package amounted to half a million dollars.
Guinness
Ghana Limited dished out a package of ¢ 450, 000,000 while Metro TV and TV3
offered free airtime worth ¢75 million and
¢ 200 million respectively.
Budget
Cash and Carry, distributors of Blue Jeans Energy Drink gave a cheque for ¢50
million and donated some of their products whilst Vanef STC donated ¢20 million
and promised a free bus pass for the players for six months if they qualify
from the preliminary stage and for one year if they win the cup.
Wonderfoods
Limited, manufactures of Cowbell Milk gave a total package of ¢5 million of
which ¢ 2 million was in cash and ¢ 3 million in products.
GLICO,
an insurance company offered a total deal of ¢500 million made up of ¢5 million
to the team, another ¢5 million to the supporters, an insurance package for
supporters, and the purchase of every goal scored during the prelims for ¢1
million and ¢2 million for every goal scored during the final match. The
Insurance Company also announced a conditional donation of ¢ 50 million to the
Black Stars if the win the cup.
Nana
Brew Butler, former chairman of the GFA and a representative of Arab
Contractors announced an unspecified hospitality package for the Stars during
their training tour of Egypt before the tournament. He also promised to buy
every goal scored by the team during the competition for a hundred dollars.
The
new kit sponsors, Adidas unveiled two new designs of jerseys the Stars would
use during the tournament.
While
one was in the conventional colours of yellow with a black star embossed on the
chest and back, the other was white with black stripes on one of the shoulders
and a black star on the chest and back.
GRi…/
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Powell wishes Black Stars well.
Accra
(Greater Accra) 21 December 2001 - Mrs Nancy Powell, the American Ambassador to
Ghana, on Thursday wished the senior national team, the Black Stars, well in
their quest to reclaim their lost glory in the African Cup of Nations competition
in Mali in January.
Ambassador
Powell who was making her maiden visit to the offices of Mr Edward Osei Kwaku,
Minister of Youth and Sports, expressed the desire to see the Black Stars win
the ultimate at the finals saying it will be a fitting reward for the
enthusiasm Ghanaians show towards football.
She
said Ghana has many football talents who are capable of holding high her flag
among football nations.
Mr
Osei Kwaku said it is the aim of the ministry to give equal attention to all
disciplines of sports and it would therefore put up a fight at cabinet level
for more training institutions for the youth.
The
minister assured the ambassador that the Black Stars would bring the cup to
Ghana this time around. He said there is a programme to involve Ghanaian
sportsmen and women in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
GRi…/
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The
hopes of Black Stars head coach, Fred Osam-Duodu, to beef up his team for next
Wednesday’s international friendly against Mali were dashed when some
foreign-based players who featured prominently in his plans signalled their
inability to fly down for the match.
To
his utter dismay, most of the players contacted only indicated their
preparedness to join the team in the final leg tour of Spain and Egypt due to
some club commitments.
Bursting
out his frustration to the Graphic Sports in a chat on Thursday, coach
Osam-Duodo indicated his desire to feature some of the foreign-based players
against Mali in order to have an opportunity to assess them.
Contrary
to his expectations, however, only two players-Panathinaikos star, Derek
Boateng and Austria-based strong defender Kofi Amponsah-will be available for
Wednesday’s match. The two, according to coach Osam Doudu, are expected to join
their colleagues this weekend ahead of the star’s departure for Bamako on
Monday.
For
Osam Doudu, his main pre-occupation in the upcoming friendly is to strengthen
his defensive network, which is why he has regrets about the absence of George
Blay, John Mensah, and Christian Atta Gyan-especially.
In
the case of John Mensah of Italian Serial B side Genoa, the veteran coach was
very much upset after various interactions with the team’s coach for the
player’s release proved futile.
GRi…/
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 21 December 2001 – Swedish club side, Norrkoping, has expressed
interest in Obuasi Goldfields’ goal poacher, Isaac Boakye.
The
club is reported to be looking forward to securing a deal with the 20-year old
striker after the arrival of Nigerian goalkeeper Ijoh Ettah and Kenyan defender
Lombardo.
The
Ghanaian was among three African players who went on trials with Norrkoping a
few months ago. Boakye is currently in contention for a position in the senior
national team, the Black Stars, for the impending African Cup of Nations slated
for Mali from January 18 to February 10.
With
his impressive performance in the Stars most recent friendly clash with league
champions, Accra Hearts of Oak during which he scored his side’s first goal,
Boakye seems a probable inclusion in Coach Fred Osam Duodu’s final squad for
Mali.
In
view of the duration of the CAN 2002, it is obvious that Norrkoping is unlikely
to enjoy the services of the Ghanaian until mid-February should they manage to
clinch a deal with him, but the Swede club seem undaunted in their efforts to
rope in the young chap.
Isaac
Boakye ended the football season as the third highest scorer in the national
premiership with ten goals. The young striker was in Coach Osam Duodu’s
starting line-up for the Stars international friendly against their Algerian
counterparts in Algiers a few weeks ago and is in good form to make it to the
final 22 for Mali in spite of the tough competition he faces from other equally
potent strikers in the Stars camp.
Isaac
Boakye moved from Ghapoha to Goldfields three seasons ago but could not hit his
peak in the first season due to injuries.
GRi…/
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Cairo
(Egypt) 21 December 2001 - Statistics for the second leg of the African
Champions League final between Al Ahli (Egypt) and Mamelodi Sundowns (South
Africa) in Cairo on Friday:
Previous
meetings: one (1-1 draw in the first leg of this year's final); Matches between
Egyptian and South African clubs: 7 Wins: Egypt 2; South Africa 1; Draws 4
Al
Ahli team’s news:
Wael
Gomaa, Wael Riad and Khaled Bebo return from being suspended after the first
leg, but there is still doubt over the availability of sweeper Ibrahim Said,
who also missed the first leg through injury.
Probable
team: Essam Al Hadary; Shady Mohamed, Abou El Magd Mostafa or Ibrahim Said,
Ahmed Abo Mosallam, Wael Gomaa, Hady Khashaba, Said Abdehlaziz, Hossam Ghali,
Sunday Ibeji, Mohamed Farouk, Aly Maher.
Current
league form: Third in Egyptian league; P8 W5 D1 L2 F11 A5 Pts19
Champions
League results 2001:
First
round: H v Red Sea (Eritrea) 3-1 (Maher, Akaruye, Bebo); A v Red Sea 0-1
Second
round: H v St Michel Utd (Seycheles) 5-0 A v St Michel United 1-0 (Bebo)
Knockout
Stage - Group B:
A v
Petro Atletico (Angola) 3-1; H
v Chabab Belouizdad (Algeria) 1-0
A v
ASEC Abidjan (Ivory Coast) 0-1 H v ASEC
Abidjan 2-1
H v
Petro Atletico 2-4
A v Chabab Belouizdad 1-0 (Said)
Semifinal:
H v
Esperance (Tunisia) 0-0; A
v Esperance 1-1 (Abdelhafiz)
Final:
A v
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) 1-1
Scorers:
5 - Alaa Ibrahim; 3 - Khaled Bebo; 2 - Said Abdelhafiz; 1 - Ahmed Abo Mosallam,
Robert Akaruye, Hossam Ghaly, Wael, Gomaa, Sunday Ibeji, Hady Khashaba, Aly
Maher, Chernor, Mansaray, Ibrahim Said, Walid Salaheddine
Champions
League entries:
13
- 1976 1977 1981 1982 1983 1987 1988 1990 1991 1998 1999 2000 2001
Record
continental club competition win:
6-0
v AFC Leopards (Kenya), 1987 African Champions Cup second round, first leg
Record
continental club competition defeat:
0-3
v Mouloudia Alger (Algeria), 1976 African Champions Cup; second round, first
leg;
0-3
v Hearts of Oak (Ghana), 1977 African Champions Cup; quarter-final, second leg;
0-3
v Africa Sports (Ivory Coast), 1992 African Cup Winners Cup quarterfinal second
leg
Stadium:
Cairo International (100,000); Coach: Manuel Jorge (Portugal)
Players
to watch:
Essam
Al Hadary (goalkeeper), Wael Gomaa (defender), Hossam Ghaly (midfield)
Mamelodi
Sundowns team news:
Nigerian
defender Muisi Ajao returns after suspension but Sundowns left out two injured
players, the former South African internationals Alex Bapela and Lovers
Mohlala.
Probable
team: John Tlale; Matthew Booth, Michael Manzini, Fabian McCarthy, Charles
Motlohi, Gift Kampamba, Bennett Mnguni, Daniel Mudau,Isaac Shai., Simba Marumo,
Carlo Scott
Current
league form: 13th S. African league P10
W4 D4 L2 F9 A6
Pts 16
Champions
League results 2001:
First
round: H v Costa do Sol (Mozambique) 0-0;
A v Costa do Sol 2-0
Second
round: H v Young Africans (Tanzania) 3-2
A v Young Africans 3-3
Knockout
Stage: Group A:
H v
Esperance (Tunisia) 0-0; A v
Julius Berger (Nigeria) 0-2
A v
TP Mazembe (DR Congo) 0-0 H v TP
Mazembe 1-0
A v
Esperance 0-0
H v Julius Berger 1-0
Semifinal:
H v
Petro Atletico (Angola) 2-0 A v
Petro Atletico 0-2; Sundowns won 5-3 (pen).
Final: H v Al Ahli (Egypt) 1-1
Scorers:
3 - Raphael Chukwu, Bennett Mnguni, 1 - Gift Kampamba, Simba Marumo, Papi
Mbele, Snothi Mthalane, Daniel Mudau, Carlo Scott, Isaac Shai
Champions
League entries:
4 -
1994 1999 2000 2001
Record
continental club competition wins:
4-1
v Arsenal (Lesotho), 1994 Champions Cup first round, second leg;
4-1
v Lesotho Defence Force; 2000 African
Champs League first round, second leg;
4-1
v Tanzania Stars (Tanzania), 1998 African Cup Winners' Cup first round, first
leg;
4-1
v Botswana Meat Commission (Botswana), 1996 CAF Cup first round, second leg
Record
continental club competition defeat:
1-6
v Africa Sports (Ivory Coast), 2000 African Champions
Coach:
Ted Dumitru (U.S.); Players to watch:
John Tlale (goalkeeper), Matthew Booth
(defence),
Bennett Mnguni (midfield)
The
referee for the finals is Said Belqoba of Morocco.
GRi…/
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Tunis
(Tunisia) 21 December 2001 - French coach Henri Michel of the Tunisian football
team on Thursday released a list of 23 players earmarked for the current
African Cup of Nations (CAN 2002) scheduled 19 January-10 February in Mali.
They
are: Mohamed Zouabi, Walid Azaiez, Radhi Jaidi, Adailton Pereira, Mourad Melki
(Espérance de Tunis), Kais Ghodhbene, Zied Jaziri, Emir Mkadmi, Mohamed
M'kacher (Etoile du Sahel), Sabri Jaballah, Anis Boujelbene, Imed ben Younes
(C.S.Sfaxien), Oussama Sellami (Stade Tunisien) and Hassene Bejaoui (C.A.
Bizertin).
Others
are: Chokri el Ouaer, Khaled Badra, Hassen Gabsi, Imed M'hedhebi, Raouf
Bouzaiene (Genoa, D2/Italy), Riadh Bouazizi (Besiktas, D1/Turkey), Adel Sellimi
(Fribourg, D1/Germany) and Hatem Trabelsi (Ajax Amsterdam, D1/Holland).
The
players will start their training session in Tunis on 24 December before going
to Spain on 27 December to play a friendly match in Seville against the
Andalusian regional team.
Tunisia
is drawn in group D with Egypt, Senegal and Zambia for CAN 2002.
GRi…/
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