Vincent Aboubakar of Cameroon (Golden Boot) for top scorer, Sadio Mane of Senegal (Player of the Tournament) and Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper of the Tournament) with their trophies after the 2021

Senegalese trio, Saido Mane, coach Aliou Cissé, keeper Edouard Mendy together with Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar took top honours at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 individual awards.

Mane, the Senegalese forward, was voted as the TotalEnergies Man of the Tournament for his sterling performance during the competition. Mane scored the winning penalty that ensured that Senegal are crowned African champions in Yaoundé on Sunday night, 06 February 2022.

Cissé, the Senegal coach who has been part of the six-year project that has ensured that Senegal remain top of African rankings for a while, walked away with the Coach of the Tournament.

Mendy, recently voted as the best goalkeeper in the world during the FIFA Best awards, once again showed his class and claimed the Continental Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.

Despite not being in the final, Vincent Aboubakar’s eight goals in this competition for Cameroon ensured that he wins the Umbro Golden Boot.

The list was compiled by the CAF Technical Study Group (TSG).

The CAF Fair Play Award went to Senegal team.

CAF | Communication Department

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Team Awinongya on Monday paid a courtesy call on the Municipal Chief Executive of Ashaiman, Mr. Albert Boakye - Okyere who was also happy to met the young talented USA born champion and urged him to live up to his dream.

Joseph Awinongya Jnr who was in Ghana for the first time thanked the chiefs, people and MCE for their prayers, support and encouragement.

He also showed gratitude to all the chiefs, elders and people who came to welcome him as well as students from Ashaiman 4 JHS who were at the chiefs palace to support him.

The MCE said Ashaiman is growing very fast and is even over populated, so they want to make the place one of the most lively destinations in Ghana, like Las Vegas in the USA.

He noted that Ashaiman is a hub of West African citizens as there are people from every part of West Africa are living in the place.

He also promised that with the support of the traditional authority and sponsors, they are going to build a gym to develop and promote sports as there seem to be many talented people in Ashaiman.

He commended the Friends of Boxing and Ghana Boxing Supporters Union who followed Awinongya and his dad to gain the accolades and popularity he deserves.

Joseph Awinongya Snr. advised that Ghanaians must make the law work, like it happens in America, as it will make the people good, productive and progressive.

He urged parents to support their kids by identifying their talents and skills and support them to develop to become stars.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The chief of Ashaiman, Nii Annang Adzor II has promised to support 14 year old USA based boxer, Joseph Awinongya Jnr. with development projects, especially the building of a multi purpose gym to help unearth and groom sports talents.

He made the promise when Team Awinongya called on him at his palace at Ashaiman on Monday.

Nii Adzor adviced the sensational boxer not the give up, but continue to to train hard to live up to his dream of winning the world title.

He urged other children in Ghana, especially the kids of Ashaiman to emulate the Awinongya example and not give up in sports.

"We are very proud of you. Now people will know that Ashaiman can produce great people " he expressed.

The meeting at the chief's palace attracted some elders from Bolga, the hometown of Awinongya.

They welcomed the young hero and blessed him.

The Ghana Boxing Supporters Union (GHABSU) and Karsa Dance Troop thrilled guests with their powerful music and dance.

Members of the Nii Adzor Foundation were also present as well as extended family of the Awinongyas.

Mustapha Nettey, a member of Team Awinongya said Ashaiman has produced a great personality in the rising Super star and urged the people of Ashaiman to hold him in high esteem and support him as he grows to become a world champion in boxing.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

14 year old USA born Ghanaian boxer, Joseph Awinongya Jr has arrived in Accra, Ghana for the first time on Sunday February 6, 2022.

The rising Super star who has won several accolades in boxing in the United States was accompanied by his parents and siblings.

He was welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd spotting his Tee Shirt. The welcome party included the Ghana Boxing Supporters Union, young boxers from the Ghana Boxing Federation juvenile and youth teams and Besesaka Boxing Kids.

Speaking to the media at the Kotoka International Airport, he expressed joy to be in Ghana and hoped to inspire other kids and youth to be focused and achieve their hearts desires.

His dad, Joseph Awinongya Snr. a former boxer, now coach said it a great feeling to be back home, and he hinted that they are in Ghana to carry out some projects.

While in Ghana, they will meet some personalities like the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Usif, Alhaji Inusah, the chief of Ashaiman, Nii Annang Adzor II, Sammy Anim Addo CEO of the Asamoah Gyan Foundation and others.

Joseph Awinongya Jnr. is a 13 times national junior boxing champion in the United States of America.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Three Ghanaian Athletes Improve:

Benjamin Azamati Shines In 60m

Benjamin Azamati OLY, starts his 2022 indoor season with a continental (Africa) leading 6.54 secs in the 60m finals at the 2022 NM Collegiate Classic.

Azamati's time ranks him as the 3rd fastest Ghanaian ever in the 60m behind Leo Leonard Myles-Mills (6.45 secs [African Record]) and Eric Nkansah (6.51 secs).

Joseph Amoah Shatters Ghana's 200m Indoor National Record

Joseph Amoah OLY, has shattered Ghana's 200m *indoor* national record with a sizzling 20.57 secs at the 2022 Boston University Invite.

Amoah's time is ranked number 1 in Africa and 5 in the world as of Feb 5th @ 7pm (GMT). Amoah now holds three (3) national records - indoor 200m, outdoor, 200m and 4x100m.

He was the Athletics Team Captain at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.

Joseph Manu rans PB in 60m indoor

Joseph Manu drops a fast 60m indoor PB with 6.66 secs clocking. His performance moves him into the number two spot behind Benjamin Azamati among Ghanaian sprinters in 2022. 

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon came back from three goals down to beat Burkina Faso on penalties to win bronze following a 3-3 stalemate at the ongoing TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021.

The hosts showed character to claim the third place in an absorbing match against the Stallions of Burkina Faso at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé.

Experienced Ambroise Oyongo scored the decisive penalty to win it after Ibrahim Blati Toure his spot for Kamou Malo's side.

The two sides came into the match after losing their semi-final matches and they showed zeal to fight for the bronze medal.

The Indomitable Lions of dominated the opening exchanges in Yaoundé despite having a much-changed lineup with the tournament's leading scorers Aboubakar and Ekambi starting on the bench.

Marauding captain Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo found space on the left to place in an inviting cross into the Burkinabe box, which keeper Soufiane Ouedraogo pushed away towards Jean Junior Onana Onana who fired straight at him.

The Stallions weathered the early Cameroonian dominance to break the deadlock through Steve Yago on 24 minutes.

The enterprising midfielder stormed into the Indomitable Lions box to volley past Onana from Issa Kabore's delivery.

Burkina Faso's Abdoul Tapsoba was played through on goal but Onana was quick off his line to clear as the Stallions grew in confidence.

They doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Andre Onana bundled into his own goal Issa Kabore's cross to stun the Olembe Stadium and give Burkina Faso a 2-0 lead at half-time.

Cameroon coach Antonio Da Conceicao made changes introducing captain and talisman Vincent Aboubakar as they chase the match.

Djibril Ouattara added salt to the Indomitable Lions wounds when he headed in Bertrand Traore's cross five minutes after the restart to give Burkina Faso a 3-0 advantage.

The Stallions continued to dominate the match and created few chances through Gustavo Sangare and Issa Kabore but either failed to trouble Onana.

The hosts had to wait until 19 minutes from to pull on back and start their incredible comeback.

Angers striker Stephane Bahoken volleyed in from close range to reduce the deficit after 71 minutes.

Three minutes later Ekambi forced a save from Soufiane Ouedraogo when he cut in from the left to fire towards goal.

Vincent Aboubakar made it 3-2 when he slotted from the back post five minutes from time following a mistake by Soufiane Ouedraogo to register his seventh goal of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021.

The Al Nassr striker still had time to add to his tally three minutes from to complete the comeback for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

Aboubakar latched on to Ouedraogo's dropped ball to score his eighth goal and forced the match to penalties.

Cameroon made no mistakes from the spot as they converted all five kicks while Burkina Faso's Ibrahim Blati Toure missed his spot-kick as the Indomitable Lions finished third and win bronze in the tournament.

What they said

Bertrand Traoré (TotalEnergies Man the Match)

"I'm very disappointed after this result. We had the game in our hands. We were leading 3-0 before being caught a few seconds from the end of the game. It's professional misconduct because we had everything to win the game This result comes to ruin our course".

Kamou Malo (Burkina Faso coach)

"It's hard to explain what happened tonight. We were leading 3-0 and then the Cameroonians came back. It's a rare situation in football. I'm sad. It's a first CAN for me. I am discovering the big competitions. I have experienced great things but also difficult situations. We have achieved an excellent course".

Antonio Conceiçao (Cameroon coach)

"48 hours after playing extra time, I couldn't take any risks with the players and that's why I reshuffled my team. We saw several players play tonight and I'm satisfied with the performance of several players. We have a first objective which was to play the final but it was decided on details in the semi-final against Egypt. Today we demonstrated the strength of character of this group and we won on penalties".

By CAFOnline

Ghanaian Alpine skier Carlos Meader made history as he represented Ghana at the opening ceremony of the colorful Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games on Friday.

The Switzerland based Ghanaian snow event specialist, was supported by Ghana's Covid-19 Laison Officer  Abdul Aziz Issah.

Ghana has one of the smallest delegations, made up of one athlete and just two officials.

The historic qualification of Carlos Meader automatically entitled "Team Ghana" to a coach, a physiotherapist, a medical doctor, a Chief Liaison or Accreditation Officer, and a Chef De Maison. In some instances, at least one administrator and media officer is permitted for larger qualified teams.

In addition to these, every National Olympic Committee and Secretary General are fully catered for at the invitation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) whether a country has an athlete qualifying or not.

Without doubt, the value of the exposure that Ghana will get anytime the red, gold and green flag is lifted at the Games is priceless.

Especially as one of the very few snow-less countries (African) to have qualified for the games.

This is not the first time that Ghana is making headlines in the snow at the Winter Olympics.

In 2018, Dutch-Ghanaian Akwasi Frimpong qualified for the Games in Pyongyang in the skeleton event, which attracted global media attention.

Frimpong became the first skeleton athlete from Africa to win an elite skeleton race  sanctioned by the USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation in Park City, Utah attention in February 2020.

It is huge, that is why many observers felt Ghana should have been more adequately represented in Beijing to maximize the sports tourism and marketing potentials.

The Games took off to the expected unusual start, largely due to the enormous challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The opening ceremony this year was navigated by legendary Chinese film director Zhang Yimou (who also directed the 2008 Beijing opening ceremony), and  focused on the dramatic visual spectacle, with giant LED screens covering the floor and lining the stage.

For the first time in the recent history of the modern Winter Games, no celebrity entertainers were recruited for one of the biggest global sports  Festivals.

GOC Communications

The Women In Sports Association (WISA) has congratulated Madam Ethel Jacks, a former African Table Tennis Champion on her 80^th Birthday.

President of WISA, Madam Gloria Commodore commended and hailed the champion for keeping fit all these year and inspiring other sports women.

She disclosed that Madam Ethel Jacks has been appointed to be a member of the Retired Sports Women Association of Ghana (RESWAG), and at the end of the year, she would be honoured alongside other distinguished retired sports women by the WISA Charities.

Madam Commodore appealed to philanthropists and organisations to support the WISA Charites.

Ethel Jacks and her doubles partner, the late Ernestina Akuetteh won gold at the African Championships in 1964 and 1968.

“Ethel Jacks put Ghana on the African map with her performances in the 1960s and 1970s; she is one of the three players in Africa to have won the African Championships thrice in the history of the tournament” said Commodore.

She expressed that WISA believes honouring her will inspire young females sports personalities in Ghana to excel and and live long.

Meanwhile, WISA has also hailed ace female Photojournalist, Senyuiedzorm Awusi Adadevoh (Terminator Photographer) for her exploits at the AFCON 2021 in Cameroon, as one of the hard working female media people at the Championship.

By Sammy Heywood Okine