Ghana halt Cranes winning streak
Jun 01, 2009
CRANES’ eight-match unbeaten run that started at the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in January was finally halted on Sunday by Ghana’s Black Stars. Goals from Ernest Papa Arko and Yusif Chibsah put Ghana in the lead before Geoffrey Sserunkuuma picked the
By Swalley Kenyi
And agencies
International Friendly
Ghana 2 Uganda 1
CRANES’ eight-match unbeaten run that started at the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in January was finally halted on Sunday by Ghana’s Black Stars.
Goals from Ernest Papa Arko and Yusif Chibsah put Ghana in the lead before Geoffrey Sserunkuuma picked the Cranes consolation with two minutes left at Tamale Sports Stadium.
Ghana dominated the game but their efforts were thwarted by excellent goal-keeping of South African based goalkeeper Dennis Onyango.
The Black Stars scored their opener in the 35th minute when play-maker Papa Arko’s cross from the right flank confused Onyango. In an attempt to grab the ball, he parried it into the net, setting the stadium alight.
Coach Bobby Williamson who was frustrated by his players’ inability to score and infuriated by almost every decision taken by the referee, was later sent off the pitch.
The game was played in northern Ghana at the newly built 40,000 seater Tamale Sports Stadium that filled to capacity. Ghana’s international matches are played in either Accra or Kumasi.
Ghana invited Uganda for the soccer friendly in preparation for their upcoming 2010 World Cup qualifier against Mali on Sunday. The Cranes return at 8:30 this morning.
Cranes have since they won the CECAFA trophy beaten Sudan and Malawi in friendlies under Williamson.
Manuel Jose ended his title-strewn career as Al-Ahly coach disastrously when the Egyptian giants were dumped out of the Confederation Cup by Santos in Angola Sunday.
Ahly, winners of the African Champions League a record six times, had taken a 3-0 lead into the return match. But a Santos competing in Africa for the first time this year triumphed 3-0 in Luanda to level the aggregate score before winning the fourth-round tie 6-5 on penalties.
“It is unbelievable to be out of this competition and to have lost by three goals. My players have won many trophies with me,†a stunned Jose said. “I am sad to have ended my time at Ahly in this way.â€
Success for Santos completed a wonderful weekend for Angola in the African club competition, as Primeiro Agosto eliminated holders CS Sfaxien in Tunisia on Saturday, also after a shoot-out.
Portuguese national Jose, 63, stays in Luanda as national coach for the 2010 Nations Cup hosts’ effective yesterday.
African Confederation Cup group draw after the knockout round preliminaries on Sunday:
Group A: Entente Setif (Algeria), Santos (Angola),
AS V Club (DR Congo), ENPPI (Mali)
Group B: Primeiro Agosto (Angola), Haras Al Hodoud (Egypt), Stade Malien (Mali), Bayelsa United (Nigeria)
The group phase will begin in July and the group winners contest the two-legged final in November.
And agencies
International Friendly
Ghana 2 Uganda 1
CRANES’ eight-match unbeaten run that started at the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in January was finally halted on Sunday by Ghana’s Black Stars.
Goals from Ernest Papa Arko and Yusif Chibsah put Ghana in the lead before Geoffrey Sserunkuuma picked the Cranes consolation with two minutes left at Tamale Sports Stadium.
Ghana dominated the game but their efforts were thwarted by excellent goal-keeping of South African based goalkeeper Dennis Onyango.
The Black Stars scored their opener in the 35th minute when play-maker Papa Arko’s cross from the right flank confused Onyango. In an attempt to grab the ball, he parried it into the net, setting the stadium alight.
Coach Bobby Williamson who was frustrated by his players’ inability to score and infuriated by almost every decision taken by the referee, was later sent off the pitch.
The game was played in northern Ghana at the newly built 40,000 seater Tamale Sports Stadium that filled to capacity. Ghana’s international matches are played in either Accra or Kumasi.
Ghana invited Uganda for the soccer friendly in preparation for their upcoming 2010 World Cup qualifier against Mali on Sunday. The Cranes return at 8:30 this morning.
Cranes have since they won the CECAFA trophy beaten Sudan and Malawi in friendlies under Williamson.
Ahly, winners of the African Champions League a record six times, had taken a 3-0 lead into the return match. But a Santos competing in Africa for the first time this year triumphed 3-0 in Luanda to level the aggregate score before winning the fourth-round tie 6-5 on penalties.
“It is unbelievable to be out of this competition and to have lost by three goals. My players have won many trophies with me,†a stunned Jose said. “I am sad to have ended my time at Ahly in this way.â€
Success for Santos completed a wonderful weekend for Angola in the African club competition, as Primeiro Agosto eliminated holders CS Sfaxien in Tunisia on Saturday, also after a shoot-out.
Portuguese national Jose, 63, stays in Luanda as national coach for the 2010 Nations Cup hosts’ effective yesterday.
Group A: Entente Setif (Algeria), Santos (Angola),
AS V Club (DR Congo), ENPPI (Mali)
Group B: Primeiro Agosto (Angola), Haras Al Hodoud (Egypt), Stade Malien (Mali), Bayelsa United (Nigeria)
The group phase will begin in July and the group winners contest the two-legged final in November.