Ghana Hockey team ready for Africa challenge

The male and female national team of the Ghana Hockey Association (GHA) would embark on their campaign to qualify for the 2018 World Hockey Cup in London.

Ghana’s team which consists of 18 player for both the male and female team would battle host nation Egypt, defending champions South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia in the Africa Hockey Cup of Nations to book a ticket to represent the country in London.

Ghana’s contingent which consists of 36 playing body, two coaches for each side, medical team and umpires are expected to depart the shores of Ghana today (Monday), October 16 for the competition billed for 22-29 October in Egypt.

Ahead of the competition, the President of the GHA Mr. Richard Akpokavi told the GNA Sports that, he expected both teams to reach the finals of the competition to book an automatic qualification to the World Hockey Cup next year.

Mr. Akpokavi who doubles as the Secretary of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) said that, with the adequate preparations with limited resources he believes the team can reach the target.

The coach of the Black Sticks Winfred Ntiamoah has released a strong squad for the seven day tourney. The 18 man squad include skipper Nsalbini Salya, Akaba Elikem, and the 2016 Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) hockey player of the year Emmanuel Ankomah and Micheal Baiden of Free State making the list without Shadrack Baah and Johnny Botsio.

Goalkeepers: Eugene Acheampong (GRA) and Karikari Jeffery (Trustees)

Defenders: Nsalbini Salya (Trustees), Abbiw Charles (Police), Ntiamoah Alfred (Police), Damalie Luke (GRA), Ernest Opoku (GRA), Stephen Ofosu Asamoah (Trustees) and Samuel Akpene Agbeli (Trustees).

Midfielders: Akaba Elikem (Exchequers), Akaba Emmanuel (Exchequers), Samuel Afari (Trustees), Damalie Matthew (GRA), George Asiedu (Exchequers) and Ankomah Emmanuel (Exchequers).

Strikers: Micheal Baiden (Free State), Francis Lartey Tetteh (Trustees) and Micheal Akuamoah (GRA).

The Female team are made up of nine players from the 2017 Sapholda Hockey league champions, GRA, six from Police ladies two from Reformers and one from Extinguishers.

They are Umaru Nafisatu (Police ladies), Benedicta Adjei (Reformers), Adiza Suleman (GRA), Ampem Darko (Reformers), Cecilia Amoako (Police), Emelia Fosua (GRA), Berko Mavis (GRA), Azuma Bridget (Police), Martha Sarfoa (Police).

The rest are Bamfo Racheal (Extinguishers), Opoku Elizabeth (GRA), Narkuo Vivian (GRA), Sarfo Roberta (GRA), Lydia Afriyie (GRA), Cecilia Amoako (Police), Serwaa Boakye (Police), Janet Adampa (GRA) and Deborah Whyte (GRA)