Ghana play Togo in an international golf
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 September 2001-The Executive Committee of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has lifted the ban it imposed on Accra Sports Stadium last December.
A Fax Message from the Headquarters of CAF to the GNA Sports in Accra on Wednesday said the decision was taken at a meeting held in Bamako, Mali on September 7.
The decision took effect from Tuesday, September 11. "Hence you are authorised to host CAF matches from now in Accra Stadium while taking all necessary security arrangement to prevent similar tragic accident as those which occurred recently" the message said.
Irate fans threw missiles onto the pitch during the Hearts-Esperance second leg CAF Champions League final match at the Accra Sports Stadium when the Phobians' goal was not forth coming.
Police fired canisters of teargas, forcing some dignitaries including CAF officials to take cover at the VIP lounge.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 September 2001-Mr Ben Koufie, Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), on Tuesday said it would be better for the nation to forget reclaiming the Africa Cup of Nations trophy if local club officials are unwilling to release their players for preparation towards the tournament
The tournament kicks off in Mali from January 19 to February 10 next year. Mr Koufie told the GNA Sports in Accra that he was surprised at reports that some club officials are not in favour of their players being called to camp on Mondays and released to their clubs on Fridays to enable them feature in the local league.
The Chairman said ''it is the same club officials who would turn round to blame the GFA for poor planning if the Black Stars fail.
"This thing does not happen in any Africa country expect Ghana. But they have to remember that you can't eat your cake and have it", he said.
"We should not behave as if the GFA is some where and the clubs are at a different place. We need each other to move the country's soccer forward", Ben Koufie told the GNA.
"Ghana belongs to you and me. We need each other if we really want to make an impact in Mali", he said.
Asked what he could do to solve the problem, Mr Koufie said, he had already met with clubs officials to look at the way forward.
He said if in the past club officials were not informed about invitation to their players to join the national team, his administration would put a stop to it.
"Club officials need to be respected by at least writing to them because they own and pay the players".
On the CAN 2002 draw, Mr Koufie said it is quite balanced but " my personal opinion is I think our group is the toughest". Ghana is paired in-group B alongside, South Africa, Morocco and Burkina Faso.
Mr Koufie said with the right preparation the Black Stars could scale over its opponents.
He said there should be no qualms as to who would play for Ghana adding that "once we have a strong local team and an in-form foreign-based players, the blend would be easy.
The Chairman said once Burkina Faso is paired with the Stars in group B, the original plan of moving to Ouagadougou to acclimatize has changed.
He said the team would either pitch camp in Mali or Northern Ghana provided there are standard facilities for the final brush up.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 12 September 2001-Achimota Golf Club of Ghana play their Togolese counterparts, Golf Club du Lome of Togo in an international golf championship at the Achimota Golf Course in Accra from Saturday, September 15 to Sunday, September 16.
Mr Gilbert Morgan, Captain of the Achimota Golf Club who announced this in Accra on Tuesday, said the two-day 36-hole Medal competition, which is being sponsored by his club, is aimed at establishing good relationship between the two countries.
Last year when the two teams met in Accra, Ghana emerged champions, scoring 11 points as against six by the visitors.
Mr Morgan said this year, the results would not be different as his team is well focus to thwart any efforts by the Togolese.
Dan Dennis, Wisdom Asempah, Yaw Assah-Sam, Nick Ssnmallman and J. F. Sam are some of the players that would feature for Ghana.
Mr Ishmael Yamson, President of the Achimota Golf Club, Officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Togolese Embassy in Ghana are expected to grace the occasion. A return encounter will be played in Lome, Togo, early next year.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com