Good show at Africa hockey

Ghana's exchequers and ladies are more than determined to win gold in their respective divisions of the ongoing Africa Club hockey championship in Accra. The two teams ensured an impressive take-off on Tuesday and Wednesday with some dramatic wins which raised ghana's medal hopes in the process.

Fire who have left none in doubt about their determination to make an indelible imprint in the their inaugural attempt have jumped into a commanding lead in their category following two significant victories.

Even though it was their lone-goal opening win over Nigeria's Plateau Ladies which provided them the tonic, it was the emphatic 2-0 victory over Egyptian giants, Sharkia, which earned them the maximum respect and recognition. Having turned instant heroines, the likes of Marbel Lamptey, Beatrice Darko and Olivia Lartey will be inspired to attian further excellence by upsetting defending champions, Telecom of Kenya, in this morning's titanic final before the final at 7.00 a.m.

Exchequers justified the confidence reposed in them with a shocking 4-0 thrashing of local rivals, Trustees, last wednesday. The victory which incidentally was the heaviest s far put the fear of God in the rest of their male opponents while putting them in strong contention for a medal.

The Ghanaians who were scheduled to battle the tough Police Union side from Egypt yesterday will continue their conquest today with a game against Yobe Flickers at 4.00 p.m.

Though down, Ghana's Prisons and Trustees are not yet out as the race is far from over. Prison who made a jerky start with a dissapointting 1-1 draw against Plateau Ladies will do well to also account for Sharkia at 8:45 a.m. this morning.

Unlike the men, the absence of Imo Ladies of Nigeria has brihgtened the prospects for the various teams following the revision of the ladies fixtures. Police Union caused a sensation on the opening day with a 3-1 humiliation of defending champion, Sharkia, assumed pole position after a 4-1 demolition of Yobe Flickers.

Trustees can therefore follow Police Union's trail to gun down Sharkia in similar fashion when they clash at 2.00 p.m. today.

Nigeria's Federal Flickers who beat Yobe Flickers 2-1 are no mere pushovers either, as they can give the tough guns a cause to worry about. For one thing, the championships have been quite exciting with lots of converts already won for the sport.

It is just interesting witnessing the crowd swell by the day, with some Kpanlogo groups present during the Exchequers-Trustees derby to add to the fun. Certianly, the best is yet to come as Sharkia, who are yet to reap the benefits of their two-week training tour of Holland, struggle desperately to protect their image against a determined bunch of new contenders.