Atsu is still missing days after an earthquake hit parts of Turkey and Syria The world is still praying for positive news on Ghana national football team winger, Christian Atsu. The former Newcastle player is agonizingly missing following the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on February 6 and has so far, claimed thousands of lives according to reports. The search for Atsu who plies his trade with Turkish top tier side Hatayspor is still ongoing even as the world continues to hope that, he and others who are unaccounted for, will be rescued alive. There were conflicting reports that suggested that the former Everton man had been pulled from the rubble alive last week, but his club has since rubbished the news. No one understands how disturbing and pain the news touching on the whereabouts of the former Chelsea man more than his family and the Ghanaians. I caught up with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) women’s hockey team that is currently holed in Nairobi for the ongoing Africa Cup for Club Champions tournament and one thing was clear, Atsu’s well-being was a concern to them just like all other warm-hearted Ghanaians. GRA head coach Yiadom Osei Boakye said the best way to express their thoughts and solaces to the Atsu family is by retaining the title that is currently in their possession. “We are here to make our families and country proud. We really want to retain the title for our sponsors have invested heavily in the team. Above all, we want to win it for the Atsu family. I will keep on reminding my girls to always put up prayers for him and his family,” said the veteran tactician shortly after their 4-1 over Kenyan side Lakers on Thursday. Joining in sharing GRA’s sentiments was the Ghana Army ladies’ coach CPOI Taylor Patrick who regretted that the former Malaga flanker had not been traced days after the unfortunate struck some parts of the two countries. Patrick who serves the Ghana Navy labeled the missing player as an one of the best ambassadors the West African country had littered in different parts of the world. “The Ghanaian sporting fraternity is united in prayers for Atsu and his family. He has been a good ambassador for the country for years and the best we can is to win this tournament for him. It is our hope that he will be rescued soon,” he said. Apart from the GRA and Army teams, Ghana has two more teams in the Mozzart Bet powered tournament that is scheduled to end on Sunday. The other teams are the Exchequers and the Ghana Army that are placed in the men’s pools.   Source: mozzartsports.co.ke | February 17, 2023

Strathmore University Scorpions lost 2-1 to Delta Queens Kenyan teams had a morning to forget after tasting defeat in the ongoing Africa Cup for Club Champions on Friday. Kenya Police were no match to the Police Machine of Nigeria as the hosts lost 3-1 at Sikh Union to bow out of the tournament. The recently crowned women’s league champions Strathmore University Scorpions were stung 2-1 by Delta Queens of Nigeria at City Park hockey Stadium. Police who were bidding to overcome the Nigerian team and enhance their chances of jostling for gold in the decider had themselves to blame as the Patrick Mugambi coached side wasted clear cut chances and were not clinical in converting the short corners. Machine took the lead in the 23rd minute through Sunday Orinya who tapped in the ball from close range after the Kenyan team failed to deal with an attack launched in their area. The Nigerian team doubled its advantage in the 47th minute through Emmanuel Sunday who sounded the board in a well-worked field goal. The hosts halved the deficit in the 55th minute courtesy of veteran defender Samuel Oungo who struck from the spot after Machine’s goalkeeper brought Mathew Momanyi down. Efforts by Police to stage a comeback were put off as Machine scored the third goal through Sunday who was a thorn in the flesh of the Kenyan side. Reacting to the defeat, Mugambi could not hide his frustration with the wasted chances and the general display that he noted was way below their potential. “We were not clinical enough today. We failed to score from the numerous short corners. We got punished for the mistakes we made,” he remarked. Mugambi was backed by the club skipper Victor Wanyama who was quick to note that all the departments were not clicking in the four quarters. At City Park, Scorpions failed to return to winning ways after falling to Delta. Heading into the game, Meshack Senge’s charges were looking to get back to winning ways after playing Ghana Army to a 1-1 draw on Thursday. However, the students fell to a brace from Obukowho Faith who sounded the board through field goals. Melvin Muga got the consolation for the Kenyan side. Meanwhile, Butali Warriors were handed a walkover as Kada Stars failed to show up. The reigning league champions were supposed to play Kada after the duel pitting Police against Machine.   Source: mozzartsports.co.ke | February 17, 2023

Kisumu Lakers were awarded a walkover win on Tuesday after Nigerian side Kada Queens failed to show up for the tournament. Lakers Hockey Club have impressed in the opening matches of the ongoing Africa Cup for Club Champions (ACCC)  Nairobi. In three games, the Kisumu-based side have manged two wins, including a walkover and a draw. Lakers opener was against multiple Kenyan champions Blazers whom they managed to hold to a 1-1 draw.  Blazers pipped Lakers to number two spot in last season’s Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Women’s Premier League. Nigerian side Kada Queens did not make the trip to Nairobi, handing Lakers a walkover in their second fixture. To prove their worth, the Austin Tuju-coached side recorded an impressive 2-0 win over Ghanaian opponents Army Ladies. Despite the good showing on the pitch, the team is still not settled financially, and are appealing for support from corporates and well wishers. “We pleaded with the organisers to allow us participate and honor our fixtures as we look for money to pay for match expenses,” Lakers Team Manager John Paul Otieno told Mozzart Sport. According to a communication from the KHU before the start of the tournament, clubs had to pay a participation fee of Ksh 40,000, daily accommodation for two; an umpire and a judge at Ksh13,456, and their daily allowance of Ksh 3,738. “It’s not been easy, but girls have showed great determination to make history. If we can give them something as a token of appreciation, I know they can be more motivated to do even better. My appeal is to the corporate world and well wishers to stand with us and the ladies.” Lakers are participating in the continental championship for the very first time. The team has only featured in the Kenyan league for two seasons.   Source: mozzartsports.co.ke | February 16, 2023

Lakers have a total of 7 points in four games It wasn’t a kind day for the Kenya women hockey sides taking part in the Africa Cup for Club Champions as they both failed to secure victories in the two games played at the City Park grounds on Thursday.   Reigning Kenya women’s league champions Strathmore University opened proceedings with a 1-1 draw against Ghanaian side Army Ladies, leaving the former fifth on the standings with 4 points. Army Ladies took the lead shortly after halftime through Charity Akoto before Diana Awino leveled matters through a 59th minute penalty corner. Disappointed with the result, Strathmore head coach and recipient of the SJAK coach of the month (January) Meshack Senge was impressed by the team’s notable improvement from Wednesday’s game against the Blazers and by their mental strength and brilliant mentality. In the afternoon game held at the same venue, Kenyan side Lakers suffered their first defeat of the tournament – losing 4-1 to GRA Ladies of Ghana. Lakers, winners of two games this week, led early on through a Eusyla Cherotich field goal before GRA Ladies skipper Elizabeth Opoku restored parity from a penalty corner within the next seven minutes of the first period. Vivian Narkour made it 2-1 for GRA as the teams headed to the halftime break. Two goals from Mercy Ackon and Narkour after the break were enough to hand GRA Ladies their first win of the competition. “Maybe we overlooked our opponents,” Lakers coach Austine Tuju said after the game. “They [GRA Ladies] haven’t had the best of performances in the previous matches, but today they were a completely different side and they deserved to win. We are still in the contention for the title.” Still on seven points after four matches, Lakers next take on Strathmore University on Saturday morning with the latter lining up against Nigeria’s Delta Queens on Friday. The other fixture today involving Blazers and Kada Queens was canceled and three points awarded to the Kenyan side following the Nigerian side no-show in the championships.   Source: mozzartsport.co.ke | February 16, 2023

Lakers, who are debuting at the annual competition, were a class act and dictated the game from the second quarter to the end. In Summary • The win saw the Austin Tuju-coached Lakers top the log with seven points, a point better off than second-placed Army. • Elsewhere, Nigeria’s Police Machine silenced Zimbabwe’s Hippo 4-2. Henry Olanyinka scored a hattrick for Machine in the third, 16th and 47th minutes respectively. Alice Owiti and Aurelia Opondo scored for Lakers as the Kenyans beat Army Ladies of Ghana 2-0 at the ongoing African Club Championships at the City Park Stadium on Wednesday. Lakers, who are debuting at the annual competition, were a class act and dictated the game from the second quarter to the end. Owiti and Opondo scored in the 15th and 42nd minutes respectively to give the Kisumu-based side their second win in the week-long competition. The win saw the Austin Tuju-coached Lakers top the log with seven points, a point better off than second-placed Army. In the men’s category, Ghana Revenue Authority beat Moshi Khalsa from Tanzania 10-1. The trio of Courage Boyefio, Ernest Opoku and Godsway Adae all grabbed braces. Luke Kofi, Joshua Kwaku, Assah Akwasio and Christopher Dogbe managed one goal apiece. James Paulo scored a consolation for Moshi. Elsewhere, Nigeria’s Police Machine silenced Zimbabwe’s Hippo 4-2. Henry Olanyinka scored a hattrick for Machine in the third, 16th and 47th minutes respectively. Sunday Orinya also got himself on the scoresheet in the 43rd minute. Gift Chomunorwa and Tatenda Kanyangarara found the back of the net for Hippo.   Source:star.co.ke | February 15, 2023