Ghana’s Amputee team, the Black Challenge, have jetted off from Ghana to defend their Amputee African Cup of Nations (AAFCON) crown in the forthcoming tournament in Egypt, slated for May 18-30, 2024.
Ghana, winners of the previous two editions, departed from the Kotoka International Airport in the early hours of Saturday morning to Cairo, Egypt, to begin their hunt for a record-extending third successive AAFCON crown.
The delegation presented by Ghana (players, staff and technical members) include Razak Seidu, Atsu Abor, Raymond Frimpong, Richrd Arthur Opentil, Emmanuel Allotey, Sampson Larbi Sarfo, Timothy Hayford, William Brown, Mohammed Mubarak, Fuseini Iddi, Cephas Anum, Hamza Mohammed, Yussif Yahaya, Richard Ekwam, Isaac Kwabena Eshun, Huzair Mohammed Harmis, Ali Jarra, Stephen Richard Obeng, Abdalla Sambian Bawa, James Kally, Emmanuel Akpabli, Samuel Obeng Ansah, and Abdul-Basit Imoro.
The 25 players presented by Ghana, led by skipper Richard Opentil, expressed his profound gratitude and urged Ghanaians to be hopeful of a good tournament showing.
We thank the Sports Ministry, through the Paralympic President Mr. Samson Deen, and the whole entire Ghana. Those who sponsored us and those who made it possible for this trip to be successful. We are going to defend our trophy in Egypt, so we pray that each and every one will support us in prayers so we bring the trophy back home. So that the next World Cup, we get qualification and also we will make sure we make our nation very proud.
Ghana rounded off preparations in Accra on Friday under the stewardship of head coach, Stephen Richard Obeng.
Ultimately, the tournament which was initially slated for April 19 – 28, 2024, was rescheduled due to a significant number of teams failing to comply with the tournament rules by presenting information of their technical staff within the designated period.
Ghana, who emerged as the first ever African Para football games champions in 2023, have the opportunity to further consolidate their place in history by winning a third successive AAFCON crown when they take on Gambia on Sunday, May 19, 2024, before facing Kenya and Algeria in their last group C games.
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Story By: Andrews Sefa Bamfo| univers.ug.edu.gh
