Africa Cup of Nations Archives

ACN 2017: The match before the final

All over Africa, expectations and predictions have gone wild as we await the final matches of the Africa Cup of Nations 2017 today, 29th October, 2017. The men’s team of Egypt shall lock horns with the defending champions and Africa’s highest ranked team, South Africa. In the women’s category, South Africa will face Ghana who are second to them in the Africa ranking. Egypt are 19th in the FIH team ranking and 2nd in Africa while South Africa are placed 15th position in the world and 1st on the African continent. Clearly, it could be argued openly that South Africa with a higher rank, stand a greater chance and more likely to win but it should be noted worthily of their recent encounters and how each team fared. In the last Africa Cup of nations held in South Africa in 2015, Egypt lost closely to South Africa even after taking the lead. The Champions punished Egypt and claimed the title on home soil after a very tensed game. Moving forward, these two Africa giants met in the Semi-Finals of the World League Series in Johannesburg where the Egyptians held the South Africans to the ground in a 2-1 scoreline. However both teams have had the greatest exposure among teams in Africa and could make up a surprising scoreline wherever they meet. Coming into the ongoing tournament being staged here in Ismailia, these teams drew 3-3 in their encounter and this sends a message across that anything at all should be expected in the final. Aside the trophy, Africa’s sole ticket to the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2018 is also as stake. In a wild guess, some fans add home support to the odds of winning a game of hockey, but could this really bring forth results? Ghana’s female team lost to South Africa 3-0 earlier in the tournament and are yet to meet again in the final. Ghana has never won against South Africa in the women’s category as far as the last decade. A review of the 2015 final saw South Africa beat the Black Sticks by 3-0 to clinch their 6th title. Ghana are second to South Africa on the continent while Ghana is 32nd in the FIH World ranking, with South Africa placing 13th. With South Africa booking a ticket after qualifying through the Hockey World League in Johannesburg, the pressure is on Ghana as they seek to qualify for their first ever world cup. Maybe it could be clearly predicted of the winner but can Ghana pull a surprise, or South Africa will go on to make it 7 out of 7. Ghana will take on Kenya for the bronze medal in the men’s category while Nigeria will face Kenya in the women category. By : DENNIS ABABIO JNR | Source: isports360.com

Pharaohs bow to Kenya

The final round of matches at the on going Africa Cup of Nations took place today 28th October, 2017 as defending champions South Africa defeated Ghana in the final before the final while Kenya beat Host Egypt to set up a bronze medal match with Nigeria. Ghana’s female Black Sticks faced South Africa in the first match of the day. With both teams securing a place in the final, it was a match to decide who emerges group winners. Cells Evans put the Champions in front from a penalty corner in the 3rd minute to put pressure on the West African lads. The Black Sticks of Ghana conceded another goal in the 7th minute through Davids Illse who coincidentally was wearing the jersey number 7. The first quarter ended 2-0 in South Africa’s favour. O’Connor Jessica increased the tally 3 minutes into the 2nd quarter to take the game beyond the reach of Ghana. The 3rd and final quarter produced no goal as both teams played with caution to reserve the best for the final tomorrow. South Africa won the game by 3-0 to top the group. Kenya played Egypt in the women’s second game of the day and final game of the group. Host Egypt lost their 3rd game of the tournament to miss out on the bronze medal match. After two consecutive heavy losses to Ghana and South Africa, the Host came in strong to earn a point and secure a spot in the 3rd place match. The defence of both teams looked solid as the match travelled the first 3 quarters barren. Kenya’s Nekesa Juma stepped up to convert a penalty corner in the 47th minute to put the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium in a moment of silence. The host fought back to equalise but their efforts proved futile as team Kenya went on to win the match by a lone goal. South Africa finished as group winners with Ghana coming in 2nd to set up a final match with the champions. Can they redeem themselves or it will be 7 titles in a row for South Africa? Kenya face Nigeria in the 3rd place match after beating host Egypt.

Hopes of Black Sticks painted black

A repeat of the 2015 final was confirmed in the last round of group matches for the men. South Africa thrashed Kenya in the first match while Egypt humbled Ghana to secure a place in the final. The final showdown will be a record 8th time the top two ranked teams will meet. Defending Champions, South Africa made it to their 8th consecutive final of the Africa cup of nations with a win over Kenya in the men’s first game of the day. The champions who were held by Egypt on Thursday, came in strong to win and book a place in the final . Eustice Jethro (South Africa) opened the gates with his first goal of the tournament in the 18th minute. The tally was doubled a minute later by Rosenburg Reza but Wakhura Constant gave a quick reply to reduce the deficit for Kenya in the 19th minute. The goal rejuvenated the Kenyans to go all out and surprise the Champions but Horne Keenan dashed those hopes as he restored the two goal lead in the 34th minute before Daniel bell made it 4-1 in the 37th minute from a penalty corner. Robinson Jonathan made it 5 for the champions in the 46th minute from another penalty corner before Horne grabbed his brace in the 48th minute to make it 6-1 in favour of South Africa. In the men’s final group game, it was Ghana’s black sticks with the aim of bringing an end to the South Africa-Egypt final dominance who came up against host Egypt. Egypt led the group with 7 points while Ghana were 3rd with 6 points hence a win for either sides will secure a place in the final with South Africa. Both teams knowing this, came in tactically disciplined and this was evident in the first and second quarters as it ended barren. Atef Hamada broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute and added another in the 38th minute both from a penalty corner to make it 2-0 in favor of Egypt. Zaki Mohammed made it 3 in the 46th minute with El-Ganaini Ahmed rounding up a perfect victory from another penalty corner in the 51st minute. Egypt won the game by 4-0. The very obvious final comes into being as South Africa makes a date with Egypt on Sunday 29th October, 2017 while Ghana also face Kenya earlier in the 3rd place match which is also becoming a familiar fixture. By: DENNIS ABABIO JNR. | Source: isports360.com

Africa Hockey Federation Congress Dinner 2017

The evening before the 21st Ordinary Congress of the African Hockey Federation was the presentation of some special awards and dinner.Some of the dignitaries present were the executive board of the Africa Hockey Federation, Presidents of National Associations, Dignitaries from International Hockey Federation and some Invited guests within the Field Hockey Fraternity. The awards presented at the ceremony were to some individuals for their meritorious service to the Africa Hockey Federation and the International Hockey Federation. Jason McCraken, the Chief Executive Officer of the International Hockey Federation was also present. The Umpire of the Year Award presented in memory of Ayman Adham Amin went to two umpires from South Africa. Notable of these awardees were, Michelle Joubert. An umpire who officiated the Rio Olympic Games Women Final and the World League Series Final in 2016. She has also been appointed to officiate the World League Series final in Auckland, New Zealand. Verily, she happens to be a well respected umpire all around the world. Peter Wright, who officiated in The Hockey World League Semi Final in Johannesburg (July 2017) , Pan American Games and the Junior World Cup in India was also honoured. Moreover, former Ghana Hockey Association’s President, Oko Nikoi Dzanie was presented with a Special Award for his contribution to Africa Hockey. The 21st Ordinary Congress of the Africa Hockey Federation commences at 9am today. There shall also be the Extraordinary congress meeting and Elections also. by Ababio Dennis | Source: isports360.com