Ghana’s Portuguese Beach Soccer coach targets “impossible” feat

– Black Sharks in Morocco with Portuguese coach, Jhonny Da Conceicao

Ghana’s national beach soccer team, the Black Sharks may have already achieved the biggest shock of Morocco 2013. The President of the Ghana Beach Soccer Association Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has confirmed that they have secured the services of one of the most sought after and experienced beach soccer tacticians in the game.

The Portuguese coach, Jhonny Da Conceicao was in charge for the first time when Ghana played host nation Morocco in their opening game of the tournament.

With the youngest team in El Jadida-Morocco, the Black Sharks are considered huge underdogs in a tournament that features seasoned campaigners including former African champions and World Cup participants Senegal, Cameroon, Egypt and Nigeria.

GBSA President Ampofo Ankrah said negotiations with the coach started a few weeks ago and only concluded on the eve of the opening ceremony. ”Money was never the key issue but rather how both parties can benefit from a long term relationship especially as Ghana is a considered a raw team”

However, Conceicao who is a former Portugal beach soccer coach with nearly ten years experience, believes this is the best time for Ghana to be introduced to the powerful sport on sand.
”Look, this competition has the best sides from Africa so we can see our level and progress from here without being too worried about winning or losing as long as the boys fight in every game”

The 35 year old former player has coached at seven previous World Cup campaigns with his last job being manager of the United Arab Emirates, a team he successfully which he qualified to the upcoming world cup in Tahiti.

Coach Conceicao was the assistant-Manager for the Portuguese national side in 2004 and as head coach of Sporting Clube de Portugal, ha side he guided to win the National Beach Soccer Circuit in 2010.

In 2011 he joined the national team of the United Arab Emirates. He has also won three beach soccer titles in Europe, two titles in Mundialito, been runner-up and three times bronze medal winner in World Championships.

Taking charge of his first national team from Africa, the tactician clearly sees an opportunity to help develop beach soccer talent in Ghana.

 

Conceicao will be assisted by local coach Maxwell Kpeglo during the qualification tournament. Details of the contract were not immediately disclosed but it is understood that it would be a performance based agreement.

 

Posted on May 23, 2013

 

Boakye Yiadom revels in AFCON 2013

Black Stars striker Richmond Boakye has counted some positives out of a disappointing campaign at the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

The promotion chasing Sassuolo striker failed to make a single appearance for the Black Stars at the competition as he was ruled out of the competition with an ankle injury he sustained in a warm up friendly against Tunisia.

“Recalling events at the 2013 Afcon gives me very strong emotions. I featured in some excellent friendlies with China, Tunisia and Egypt prior to the tournament. Before leaving, however, I injured my ankle ligaments. I thought it was nothing, but it was a more serious problem than expected,” Boakye-Yiadom said.

“Being at the competition gave me a great feeling especially being in contact with champions like Drogba, Asamoah Gyan and Obi. Singing with the players before and after games and some fans gave me chills.”

The player has been selected to be part of the Black Satellites team that is preparing for the World Youth Championship.

Posted on May 15, 2013

 

Tesano Dolphins talk expectations ahead of trip to Germany

They swept the most number of medals at the Loya Accra Open swimming championship. Tesano Dolphins will be participating at the 42^nd Schwimmfest in Arnsberg, Germany and will hope to make an impact on the international stage.

In the past week, Youth and Sports Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, paid a working visit to the nation’s premier swimming club Tesano Dolphins. The Minister observed the normal training regime of the swimmers and subsequently held discussions with the management of the team.

AllSports earlier paid a visit to the Tesano Sports Club, observed a two-hour training session and spoke to some of the swimmers.

– Kwaku Addo

The current national record holder for 50m freestyle, with a time of 25.9s, is 16-year old Kwaku Addo of the Ridge School. He says he expects to be even better by the time he’s 19.

“Some people say my time is not as high compared to the world standard. I’m a second behind the time for the world record holder. It’s a gradual process. I’m still working on it. In Germany, I expect to win a medal or two. Training has been hectic but I’m doing my best. And I expect to pull it off.”

– Ophelia Swayne, Tesano Dolphins

Ophelia Swayne, a 17-year old student of the Roman Ridge School, also has high expectations going to Germany.

“Training has been hard and very intensive. We’re putting in our all and we hope to get the results in Germany. In my first participation, two years ago, I won gold in butterfly. This time, I’m aiming for four gold.

We’re doing the best with the little we have. We appeal to corporate bodies to come aboard and help us with sponsorship.”

– Zenobia Addo

The younger sister of Kwaku, 14-year old Zenobia Addo who also attends Roman Ridge School, is aiming for gold.

“This will be my second time in Germany, and I’m hoping to win gold in butterfly and 50m freestyle. I have dropped my time but I’m still working on it. In 2011, I won Bronze in (butter)fly but this time, it’s gold I aim to win.”

Coach of the Dolphins, Abbiw Jackson, has three of his wards in the team. The younger one, 9-year old Kow Assifuah Jackson of Soul Clinic Int. School, will also be in the team travelling to Germany.

– Kow Asafua Mensah Jackson

“The first time I went (20011), I won four gold medals and one silver. The second time (2012) I couldn’t get a medal. But this time I believe I will bring some home.”

– Abeiku Jackson

Kow’s older brother, 13-year old Abeiku Jackson also of Soul Clinic Int. School, also has high expectations.

“In the first year I went to Germany (2011), I won four gold medals. In the second year (2012), I won seven gold and one silver. This year, I have been able to drop my time, so my expectations are very high.”

– Paa Kwesi Abbiw Jackson

13-year old Paa Kwesi Abbiw Jackson who also schools at Soul Clinic Int. School and says he looks to do better in his age category.

“I have been able to drop my time significantly, so I’m looking to win gold medals in all the events I will participate in.”

 

Posted on May 11, 2013

 

Tesano Dolphins continue rigorous training ahead of 42nd Schwimmfest in Germany

After their dominant display at the Loya Accra Open swimming championship, swimmers of the famous Tesano Dolphins have now turned their sights to the tournament which they will travel to participate in Germany.

Coach of the swimming contingent, Abbiw Jackson, had always maintained that the meeting Accra was preparatory grounds for him and his team.

“This was a good competition. This is a stepping stone for an upcoming competition in Germany,” coach Jackson has said in an interview with AllSports.

– Assistant coach Jonathan Amoako -Atta overseeing a training session

– Coach Abbiw Jackson issuing instructions during training

AllSports visited the team as they trained in the Tesano Sports Club pool over the weekend. With his assistant, Jonathan Amoako-Attah, running the morning training session, coach Jackson oversaw the physical drills and corrected mistakes in techniques of his squad.

He spoke to AllSports about their visit to the German Embassy and preparations so far.

“The administrative side of the process has been good. In fact, the visit to the Embassy was fantastic. We didn’t have any trouble there at all.

“In terms of training, my kids look like they are getting to meet their targets.

“Financially, we’re still having challenges. Sponsorship has not come in as well as we expected. Unfortunately, this means we may have to trim down our contingent. This will also mean that we will have to lower our medal expectations if that happens.”

The team needs a lot financial support as Coach Jackson tells this reporter that each swimmer requires USD 3,000 to register for the competitions and send them to Germany.

– (Fourth from right) Ophelia Swayne, Delphine Shooter, Zenobia Addo, Selinam Shabashie, Tesano Dolphins in Germany, 2011

The Tesano Dolphins will be representing Ghana at the 42^nd Schwimmfest in Neheim-Husten, Germany, where about 800 to 1,000 swimmers will compete. This is one of the 10 best club-based age-categorised competitions and will have 45 to 50 clubs from all over Europe.

Africa will be represented by two countries; Tesano Dolphins of Ghana and Ikoyi Club of Lagos, Nigeria.

If The Dolphins are able to send their delegation of 20 swimmers, they will aim to win 20 medals.

 

Posted on May 8, 2013

 

Racist chants directed at David Accam; he says “They can’t bring me down”

Black Stars and Helsingborg striker, David Accam, was the other Ghanaian who was at the receiving end of audible racist abuse from fans of Swedish club Syrianska.

In the game in which Helsingborg won 1-0 away on Sunday, Accam had gone down after a tackle in the 34^th minute, when one Syrianska fan shouted the ‘n-word’ from the terraces as the ultras berated Accam to get back on his feet.

The referee, who was well placed to hear the curses, did nothing.

In the 90th minute, as Accam was being substituted, the second round of racisms occurred. He exited the pitch under a barrage of abuse which included another racial slur using the ‘n-word’. Again, the officials did nothing.

Helsingborg have reported the incident to the authorities. But Accam is staying strong about the incident.

“I’m still going strong, they can’t bring me down,” Accam said exclusively to AllSports.

“It’s not nice when people abuse you because of the colour of your skin but I was able to control myself and I didn’t react.”

He however wants the incident to be dealt with and not swept under the carpet.

“I want this to be dealt with. This should not be allowed in this modern world.

“The referee said he didn’t hear it. But you can hear it clearly, even when you watch the video. I expect the Swedish FA to do something about it.”

The 22-year-old, who is the sixth graduate from the renowned Right to Dream Academy in Ghana to play in Europe, scored 14 goals for Östersunds FK in the Division 1 in 2012. He then moved on to Helsingborg where he scored 10 goals in 2012.

Footage of Syrianska’s ultras racial assaulting David Accam can be seen below.

 

Posted on May 8, 2013