Sports
African Nations Cup results
The Black Stars of Ghana have qualified for the next round of the African nations cup competition. They beat Guinea 4-1 in the second leg of their first round qualifying match in the Guinean capital, Conakry.In the first leg played a fortnight ago the Black Stars were held to a 1-1 draw at the Accra sports stadium.
In 1982 the Black Stars drew 1-1 in Kumasi with Congo Brazzaville in the first leg of their first round qualifying match but in the second leg the Black Stars defeated their opponents 2-1 in Brazzaville. The Ghanaians went on to win the continental tournament by beating host nation Libya in the finals.
Other results are: Senegal qualified for the next round drawing 1-1 with Togo whom they beat 1-0 in Lome in the first leg. The Ivory Coast also eliminated Mali 7-0 on aggregate.
Funsho visits Nigeria
Nigerian-born British heavyweight boxer, Funsho Banjo, returned to Nigeria after 14 years sojourn in the United Kingdom, where he shot himself into the limelight as a potential world champion.The 29-year-old pugilist, who was accompanied by his brother Thompson Banjo, said he would make available to Nigerians the video of his fight with American Marvis Frazier when next he visits home. The fight took place in London in January, and Banjo lost to the son of the renowned former heavyweight world champion, Joe Frazier.
Eastend Lions of Sierra Leone win
Eastend Lions of Sierra Leone thrashed Great Hawks of Gambia 4-0 in the first round, first-leg match of the West African Football Union (WAFU) soccer champion- ship played in Freetown.In a one-sided contest before a capacity crowd of 50,000 in the Siaka Stevens stadium, Eastend's goals were scored by John Johnson in the 29th minute, Atto Mensah in the 38th and 56th minutes, and Leslie Allen in the 71st minute..
Hearts - Kotoko qualify
Ghana's two most popular clubs, Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak, have both qualified for the next round of their respective African clubs championship assignments in style.Asante Kotoko, the cup winners cup representatives, thrashed Mighty Carolle of Liberia 3-0 in their second leg match in Kumasi to reach the 1/8 finals on a 3-1 aggregate having lost the first leg in Monrovia 1-0.
And Hearts, the cup of champion clubs contestants, reached the 1/8 finals by eliminating Lions of Benin on a 4-0 aggregate. Hearts won 1-0 in Contonou and wrapped up a brilliant 3-0 home win on March 24.
Highlight of this match was the return to the Ghanaian soccer scene of Mohammed Polo affectionately called the 'dribbling magician'. He was in the United Arab Emirates for three years.
Polo displaying amazing dribbling skill scored twice for Hearts and Opoku Afriyie had the other goal.
Hearts will meet US Gorenne of Senegal in Dakar May 5 and Accra May 19. While Kotoko will face Asfosa of Togo at home on April 28 and May 12 in Kumasi.
Hearts' 'dribbling magician' Mohamed Polo outwits an opponent on his way to score one of his two goals.
Title fight postponed
Ghana's World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion, Azuma Nelson's first title defence, scheduled for April 1 in Los Angeles, was postponed indefinitely. This followed the Ghanaian champion's admission to a Los Angeles hospital suffering from appendicitis.Mr Carl King. Azuma's American promoter, said a new date for the fight would be determined within four to six weeks, depending on Azuma's health.
Azuma was to meet Mexican Villasana in his first defence of the title he captured from Wilfredo Gomez of Puerto Rico last December 8 in San Juan.
Cameroon lose to Zambia
African soccer kings Cameroon lost to Zambia 4-1 in a World Cup African zone second-round, first-leg qualifying match in Lusaka. Michael Chabala scored a hat-trick inside eight minutes as the African Nations Cupholders reeled before a first half onslaught which sent the 35,000 crowd wild and put the Zambians 4-0 clear at the interval.. The Cameroonians will have to win 4-0 in the second leg if they are to get to next year's finals in Mexico.Aaron Njovu began the Lusaka rout with a 21st minute goal. Chabala got his first three minutes later and slotted in two more in the 27th and 32nd minutes.
The star-studded Cameroon side recovered somewhat in the second half but could only pull one goal back through Oman Biyik 16 minutes from time.
Ago Kotey retains ABU title
Ago Kotey of Ghana retained his African Boxing Union (ABU) lightweight title with clear cut points victory Togolese a challenger Bozzou Azizan in Lome. It was a one sided affair and the sole referee/judge scored it 119-111 for the champion.Azizan, 36, was no match for the 24-year-old champion who punched him at will. Thrice in the 4th, 6th, and 9th rounds the Togolese went down but on each occasion he courageously bounced back to action.
At the end of the 12 round massacre Azizan's face was caricatured with a mixture of heavy lumps and blood and the fans gave him a standing ovation for his endurance and fighting spirit.
Time out
Ghana's national league is on a short break to pave the way for a number of international matches lined up for the Black Stars. Two matches have been played so far in the second round and Hearts are still on top of the table with one outstanding match against Hasaacas.LEAGUE TABLES AS AT MARCH 24
HOME AWAY
TEAMS PWDLFA PWDLFA Pts
Hearts 642091... 7 3 4 0 5 3 23
Wise 7 4 2 1 126... 7 4 1 2 9 8 23
Kotoko 76 10 9 2… 7 1 5 1 4 5 21
Gt. Oly 7 4 3 0 103... 6 2 1 3 4 6 18
Corners 7 3 3 15 3... 7 2 2 3 4 9 17
R.T.U. 7 5 2 0 124 ... 7 0 3 4 4 8 15
Okwahu 7 4 2 1 104... 7 1 2 4 2 7 15
Warriors 7 3 2 2 7 4 7 1 3 3 3 6 14
Hasaacas 7 2 1 4 8 9 6 2 1 3 6 1012
Zebi 7 1 4 2 4 5 7 1 2 4 4 8 11
B.A. Utd 7 1 2 4 3 5 7 0 2 5 4 126
Bofoakwa 6 2 2 2 9 7 7 0 0 7 3 176
