The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Ladies hockey team have arrived in the country after successfully defending their title at the 26th edition of the Africa Cup for Club Championship (ACCC) held at the Suez Canal Authority Hockey Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt, on January 30 – February 7.
The team was met on arrival last Saturday at the Kotoka International Airport by the sports media and fans.
Having won the title on four previous occasions, GRA Ladies, the defending champions, braved the odds by beating Egyptian side, Smouha Hockey Club, 3-0 to retain the continental crown for a record fifth time.
The tournament, which featured 10 women’s clubs from Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and Ghana, saw the GRA Ladies open their account with a 4-1 thrashing of Kada Queens of Nigeria, followed by a 6-1 whitewashing of Sharkia Sporting Club of Egypt.
The Ghanaian team went on to whitewash Kampala Hockey Club of Uganda 15-0 before defeating Nigeria’s Delta Queens 3-1 to top the standings in Pool A.
Their group stage success saw them set a gold medal showdown with the Egyptian champions, which was sealed with three first-half goals – a brace from Vivian Narkuor and one by Mercy Ackon – to win the title.
GRA’s Narkuor was adjudged the tournament’s best player and also grabbed the top scorer of the competition award with 12 goals.
Matilda Addison picked the best goalkeeper of the championship award.
Their male counterparts placed third in the men’s Pool B standings with five points, winning a match, lost one and drew one.
The Head Coach of GRA Ladies, Madam Ida Marmon-Halm, commended the team and attributed the feat to hardwork.
She thanked the management of GRA for their unwavering support that played a huge role in achieving the success.
She also expressed gratitude to the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, for his encouragement ahead of the final.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
