Hockey: Ghana set to break SA, Egypt jinx today
The jinx surrounding the dominance of defending champions South Africa and host nation Egypt is likely to be broken today when both the national male and female hockey teams tackle their must-win matches at the ongoing 2017 Africa Hockey Cup tournament in Ismailia.
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While the male team clash with South Africa who whitewashed Nigeria 8-1 last Monday, the female team engage Egypt, who overpowered Nigeria 5-0 in their opening match also on Monday.
With the male Black Sticks also defeating Kenya 3-0 last Sunday and their female compatriots coming from behind to beat Kenya 2-1, the stage is now set for fireworks at the Suez Canal hockey pitch today where security is at its best to ensure the safety of players, technical teams, officials and fans who have been trooping to the stadium to be part of the tournament.
Notwithstanding the might of South Africa, who have won the trophy seven consecutive times, the male team is more determined to use them as a springboard to pave the way for winning the trophy at stake.
"We are approaching this game with a winning mentality because in tournaments of this nature every team is beatable and we have adequately prepared for them," the Assistant Coach of the male team, Ebenezer Frimpong, assured in an interview with the Daily Graphic.
Coach Frimpong said his team had what it takes to handle South Africa. "We have prepared physically and psychologically for them so do not entertain any fears," he assured.
For his part, the Head Coach of the female team, Emmanuel Ahadjie, said having put Kenya where they belong, attention was now focused on Egypt.
"We have a lot of respect for Egypt, but the time has come to end their dominance to move into the next stage,” he noted, describing the match as a yardstick to conquer Africa.
Coach Ahadjie said his players would prove that they were of age to represent Africa at the highest level.