The treble dream of the Royal Ladies of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) ended in heartbreak last Saturday after a narrow defeat to Kenya’s Lakers in the final of the 2026 African Hockey Federation (AfHF) African Club Champions Cup (ACCC) in Zimbabwe.
In a match they largely controlled, the five-time African champions were left to rue a night of costly profligacy in front of goal. Despite earning more than 15 penalty corners, the Royal Ladies failed to convert a single one, allowing the contest to drift to a penalty shootout.
There, the Kenyans held their nerve to win 2–0, denying GRA a record-extending title and shattering their hopes of a historic treble.
While the women fell just short of glory, the GRA men ensured the Ghanaian contingent did not leave empty-handed. They secured the bronze medal after edging hosts Hippo of Zimbabwe in a tense shootout in the curtain-raiser to the men’s final.
Having seen their title challenge end with a 2–1 semi-final defeat to eventual champions Port Fouad of Egypt last Friday, the men responded with character. They fought back from a hard-fought 2–2 draw to prevail 2–1 in the shootout, with Ernest Obeng Opoku and Ignatius Blankson on target in regulation time.
Peter Adjetey and Louis Kugbey then kept their composure from the spot while Luke Damalie capped another outstanding display by earning his second man-of-the-match award of the tournament.
Men’s team salvage bronze
There was further consolation for the Ghanaians in the form of individual honours. Skipper Elizabeth Opoku emerged as the tournament’s top scorer with seven goals, while Eugene Acheampong and Matilda Addison were named men’s and women’s Goalkeepers of the Tournament, respectively.
For Addison, the accolade marked a remarkable back-to-back achievement, following her heroics at last year’s championship in Ismailia, Egypt. Acheampong, who was named MVP in GRA’s opening group victory over Hotspurs of Zambia, also played a decisive role in the shootout that sealed third place.
Source: graphic.com.gh
