Reformers of Ghana underwent a psychological reformation and recovered from their first day loss to beat much fancied Sharkia in the women’s competition on the ongoing ACCC. In a closely contested match played under the unexpected intense morning heat of Abuja, Reformers were able to cope better and clamped down on all activities in the midfield. They frustrated the young Egyptian with some close marking and robbed them off almost any ball thus rendering their passing game non-existent. Reformers had to wait till the 42nd minute when Georgina Sam deflected a shot from a penalty corner for the only goal of the match.
Defending champions Heartlands announced their intentions of defending the title with a smooth 2-0 win over compatriots Bayelsa Queens in the first match of the day. Two strikes from Anunwa Queen and Obeifula Oluchi during the first half were enough to bag the 3 points at stake. In the all Kenyan affair, former champions Telkom Orange managed a 2-1 win over an improved Blue Eaglets. Telkom started off strongly scoring in the 6th minute through Jackie Atieno from a penalty corner. The Eaglets drew level a minute from half time through Joan Mwangi’s field goal only to be stabbed by Jackie Wangeci’s 50th minute strike from open play.
In the men’s competition, Golden Sticks of Ghana failed to glitter when Police Union of Egypt tainted their shine with a 2-1 victory. In a tightly contested match that looked more like that for the Ghanaians to win, the skillful Ghanaians wasted countless opportunities including 12 penalty corners. Police opened the scoring from a penalty stroke in the 26th minute and doubled the advantage after recess from a penalty corner. Golden Sticks threw everything into the game and redeemed a goal on the hour mark from a penalty corner.
In the other men’s match, Delta Force pulled all that they had in their arsenal to draw level 3 minutes from the end through Kolo Adamu after Exchequers had gone ahead in the 27th minute from a Samuel Kwaw well taken goal. Exchequers dominated play but a series of errors and a momentary loss of concentration at the back saw Adamu slip through unmarked to pull the chestnut out of the blazing fire.
The day was graced by the presence of the President of the Nigerian Hockey Federation and member of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Bukar Abba Ibrahim, the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria His Excellency Sheriff Naguib accompanied by the Head of Chancery, Mr. Abobakr Samy Ala Shrafy and the Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria His Excellency George Kumi. Other dignitaries were Mr. Kofi Adu Labi, Advisor to the Governor of the Bank of Ghana and Mr. J. B. Alhassan, Director at the Bank of Ghana.
The media partners were once more present with Mr. Ahmed Kamal of the Middle East News Agency visiting to cover events of the day.
The competition enters day 3 with interesting fixtures. In the women’s encounters in the morning, defending champion Heartlands of Nigeria will be heartless when they take on the Blue Eaglets of Kenya, Reformers will strive to go one better when they take on Telkom Orange of Kenya while Sharkia will seek revenge when they meet CEPS of Ghana.
In the men’s competition, local rivalries will be ignited as Sharkia go head-to-head with Police Union in an all Egyptian encounter at 15:00hrs. Exchequers will lock horns with Golden Sticks in the battle of the Ghanaian bankers at 17:00hrs while Yobe and Delta Force spice up the night with the Nigerian brand of hockey at 19:00h
