Egypt whack Black Sticks at ongoing Africa Hockey Championship

Egypt last Saturday succeeded in applying the brakes on the forward march of Ghana’s men hockey team, trashing them 7-1 at the semi-finals of the ongoing Africa Hockey Championships in Johannesburg, South Africa.

With the heavy defeat, the Ghanaians failed in their bid to meet bogey side, South Africa, in the grand finale of the championship to determine which of them wins and represents Africa at the World Games.

Ghana will now meet Kenya for the third place slot after the Kenyans had also lost 1-2 to favourites South Africa last Saturday.

In a telephone interview, an executive member of the Ghana Hockey Association, Madam Elizabeth Safoah King, said Egypt scored two quick early goals to unsettle the Black Sticks, making it difficult for them to keep their composure.

Before the Ghanaians could recover, Egypt scored two additional goals after which Richard Adjei managed to redeem a goal for Ghana in the 43rd minute.

She said the Black Sticks came close to scoring on three occasions but failed to take advantage of the chances created, and as the game was getting to a close, Egypt scored three more goals to deny the Black Sticks the opportunity to meet South Africa in the grand finale.

At the time of going to press, the Ghana women’s team, who were held to a 3-3 draw by Kenya last Friday, were playing South Africa.