George Ashie promises fireworks at Bukom Fist of Fury Fight Night Three

George Ashie, World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa lightweight champion, has said he will give his fans "something special" when he steps into the ring to fight Korley Collison in a Lightweight contest at the third night of the boxing league dubbed, "Bukom Fist of Fury".

Ashie, alias Red Tiger (28-4-2, 20 KOs) said, he was optimistic about his chances of defeating his opponent on the night, but it would be exected in style.

"I won't promise knockout but I can tell my fans that they will get something special. They(fans) know what I can do in the ring so they should just come in numbers and witness what I have for them. I have beaten him before and so this a rematch to revenge, but I would beat him again," Ashie said.

His opponent, Collision said, he had learnt a lot of lessons after his first defeat to Ashie, adding that, he had improved on his fight skills since then.

"I am not afraid of him, he beat me once, but it won't happen again. I have trained well and I can tell you I have improved on my fight. My fans would smile at the end of the day," Collision said.

The Bukom Fist of Fury Boxing League Fight Night three comes off on Friday, November 9, at the Bukom Boxing Arena, having finished two exhilarating and explosive nights of boxing contest already.

The league, is expected to continue in every forthnight for the next 26 weeks, with each fight night witnessing juvenile bouts, amateur boxing league and the professional championship fights.

Mr Moses Foh-Amoaning, Technical and Marketing Consultant of Bukom Fists of Fury, at a press conference in Accra ahead of the Friday night, said a lot had been improved since the opening nights.

He said security was still a matter of great concern to the organiser, adding that they would ensure that every fan who attended was safe.

He said that, there would be a lot of entertainment, with more top musicians such as Amandzeba, Sarkodie among others billed to perform on fight nights.

He called on called Corporate Ghana to come on board and support the event, which keeps increasing in interest and excitement every fight night.

In other professional fights, Bright Ayala would clash with Felix Ajom in a Super Featherweight contest, whilst Moses Dodze would battle Isaac Dowuona, also a Super Featherweight division.

The amateur and juvenile boxers would also spice up the night with more exciting and competitive fights as they seek to build points on the league log.

GNA

WE

07 Nov. 2018

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Sport Football Falcons

Nigeria names final squad for 2018 AWCON

By Simon Asare, GNA

Accra, Nov. 7, GNA - Thomas Dennerby, head coach of Nigeria's female football team, has announced a 21-member squad for the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON), to be hosted in Ghana.

The Super Falcons, who are defending champions would be making their 13th appearance at this year's tournament having won it on a record ten 10 times.

Ogonna Chukwudi (Krstianstand DFF, Sweden) and Ugochi Emenayo (Nasarawa Amazons) who are currently in camp with the team in Abidjan

did not make the squad.

Nigeria, are in Group B, together with rivals South Africa, Kenya and Zambia and they would be based in Cape Coast.

The tournament, which kick starts in 17 November to December 1, would see eight countries compete for three spots at 2019 FIFA Women World Cup to be held in France in June, 2019.

Nigeria are expected to arrive in Ghana on Wednesday, November 14 as they gear up for their group opener against Nigeria in Cape Coast on November 18, 2018.

Below is the list 21 players:

Goalkeepers: Tochukwu Oluehi (Rivers Angels); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Confluence Queens); Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels).

Defenders: Glory Ogbonna (Ibom Angels); Sarah Nnodim (Nasarawa Amazons); Ngozi Ebere (Barcelona FC, Cyprus); Faith Michael (Pitea IF, Sweden); Onome Ebi (Henan Huisanhang, China); Osinachi Ohale (Vaxjo DFF, Sweden); Josephine Chukwunonye (Asarum AIF, Sweden).

Midfielders: Amarachi Okoronkwo (Nasarawa Amazons); Ngozi Okobi (Eskiltuna UTD, Sweden); Rita Chikwelu (Krstianstand DFF, Sweden); Halimat Ayinde (Asarum AIF, Sweden).

Forwards: Anam Imo (Nasarawa Amazons); Rasheedat Ajibade (FC Robo Queens); Asisat Oshoala (Dalian Quanjian, China); Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit, USA); Desire Oparanozie (En Avant Guingamp, France); Chinaza Uchendu (SC Braga, Portugal); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Biik Kazygurt, Kazakhstan).

GNA

WE

07 Nov. 2018

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Sport Football Kenya

Hosts hold visiting Black Queens of Ghana in build-up friendly

By Chris Mbaisi, Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi, Nov. 7, GNA - Harambee Starlets tested their preparedness for the forthcoming Africa Women’s Cup of Nations with a one-all draw against Ghana in an international friendly at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani.

Starlets, who have been in camp since last week, were gearing up towards their second appearance to the continental finals set for Ghana between November 17 and December 1.

The home girls playing in an almost empty stadium were lucky not to concede a goal in the opening minutes of the game as their opponents capitalised on their shaky start to make inroads into their box, but their final shots failed to sail past the line.

Skipper Wendy Acheing and Dorcas Sikobe, who partnered at the heart of the defence worked overtime to stop Elizabeth Addo, who caused all sorts of problems in the area with her superb dribbles from the flank, forcing head coach David Ouma to instruct Lilian Adera to man mark her.

After struggling to settle in the opening minutes, the Starlets gained confidence and momentum and had their first sniff at goal in the seventh minute through Terry Engesha, who fired wide from Corazone Aquino’s pass.

Their surge seemed to neutralise the Ghanaians, hence went on to break the deadlock in the 14th minute when Thika Queens ace Mwanahalima Adam weaved past two opponents on the right flank to float a cross, which her teammate Mercy Achieng tapped in past Patriciah Mantey to hand Kenya the lead.

Ghana nearly equalised three minutes later after Addo’s defence splitting pass found an unmarked Portia Boaleye in the box but her shot was scattered by Annette Kundu who stretched to block it before Elizabeth Ambogo cleared the danger.

Three minutes later Addo watched her free header sway off target after Priscilla Olgere found her with a well floated cross.

Despite the pressure from Ghana, Starlets managed a number of unsuccessful counter-attacks until the two teams took a two minute water break with 30 minutes played.

Upon resumption, the diminutive Mary Kinuthia almost doubled the scores for Kenya but her delay in converting the cross saw her marker Janet Egyir cut her off.

Starlets carried the lead to the breather as their opponents who were billed as pre-match favourites walked off the pitch heads low and guilty of flapping clear cut chances.

Six minutes after the break, the match had to be adjourned for two minutes after Starlets shot stopper Kundu incurred a shoulder injury while trying to clear an aerial challenge.

However the medics gave her the green light to continue and in the 65th minute, Ouma made his first substitution, bringing in Neddy Atieno for the goal scorer Achieng.

Adam was three minutes later withdrawn for Sheryl Angachi while Aquino paved way for Cheri’s Avilia.

Ghana on the other hand brought in Grace Asamilewaa for Sherifatu Suleman and the latter equalised for the visitors in the 73rd minute after curling the ball inches off the box past a hapless Kundu. The goal appeared to polarize Starlets rear as Ghana stepped up their quest to double the scores but were met with an equal reaction till the final whistle.

GNA

WE

07 Nov. 2018

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Sport AWCON Player Profile

Refiloe Jane, outh Africa

Accra, Nov. 7, GNA - Refiloe Jane, born on 4th August 1992 is a South Africa's midfielder, who plays for Canberra United in the W-League, with over 80 international caps for Bayana Bayana.

Full of creativity and dribbling skills, Refiloe popularly called “Fifinho” was born in Soweto and first represented South Africa at the 2012 London Olympic Games and has become a household name in the Bayana Bayana set up earning her applause all over South Africa.

Having captained the Banyana Bayana to victory at last year’s regional COSAFA Cup tournament, she and the rest of the team would be hoping to replicate that feat at the upcoming African Women’s Cup (AFCON) 2018 in Ghana.

Having played for clubs like Colchester United L.F.C, Mamelodi Sundowns and Vaal University of Technology, Jane represented South Africa at the 2012 London Olympic Games and in September 2014, she was named to the roster for the 2014 African Women's Championship in Namibia.

Jane, who holds a National Diploma in Sports Management and Masters Degree in Marketing from Tshwane University of Technology, was named in the South African squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics, where she played every minute of the team's three group games.

She has won the prestigious Sportswoman of the Year and Sports Personality of the Year awards in her local province of Gauteng.

With, the three quarter finalist for the AWCON qualifying automatically for the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Women’s World Cup in France, 2019, Fifinho, would have a lot to prove with her undoubted skillful nature and eye for accurate passing and goal.

South Africa housed in Group B alongside Nigeria, Zambia and Kenya would kick-start their campaign against Nigeria on 18th November, 2018 in Cape Coast.