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Ambassador Quarcoo eulogises Alfred Kotey

IT was with great sadness on June 30 2020 to learn of the sudden demise of Alfred “Cobra” Kotey – who was one of my top talented boxers, during my tenure as President of the then Ghana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) in the 80s.

I am so touched by his passing which sad event is reported to have occurred in New York City, US, where he was receiving medical treatment. Lot of us on the boxing circuit thought Alfred could go right to the top in his division which he did. He was like a son to me; he was a likeable, cheerful, respectful young man who everyone loved.

Alfred got hooked to boxing at a very tender age and regularly trained at the Akotoku Academy Gym in Bukom and together with Ike Quartey formed the Whiz kids of Ghana Boxing and  both were selected to join the national boxing team, Black Bombers.

Quickly emerging as one to keep an eye on, he compiled a 35-4 amateur record, and despite the relatively few bouts, he accomplished a lot, representing his country all over the world and reaching the quarter finals of the 1988 Seoul Olympics as a flyweight.

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As is often the case with top amateurs, he decided to turn professional after returning from the Olympics, and had his first paid bout on November 26, 1988 sharing the undercard of a show at the Orion Cinema Hall in Accra with Olympic team-mate, and fellow debutant, Ike Quartey.

He was nicknamed ‘the Cobra’, and indeed, in his heyday, he could instill terror in anybody he came across with his speed and accurate punches. He was on a fast-track with ambitions to reach championship level in quick time. His professional boxing career reached its pinnacle in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

At 26 years old and probably at his peak, Kotey put on an excellent display, and became a world champion by out-boxing the Puerto Rican Rafael Del Valle. He really left no doubt, and won by unanimous decision.

Now based in United States, Kotey made title defences against Mexican Armando Castro and British champion Drew Docherty, before losing his world title on points to former World super bantamweight ruler, Daniel Jimenez in October of 1995.

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 After losing his bantamweight world title, I negotiated with the late Jose Sulaiman, then President of WBC and Kotey was giving a shot at the vacant WBC super bantamweight title. Less than seven weeks later, he was back in the ring in London ready to launch his assault on a new weight division – super bantamweight.

At York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, together with the WBC President, late Jose Sulaiman, I witnessed with joy from ringside when he captured the vacant WBC International title, out-scoring two-time world title-challenger Freddy Cruz.

Alfred Kotey did not only have the passion for the sport, but he showed a lot of discipline, dedication and commitment. His commitment saw him growing in the sport and this was envisaged by his results when he joined the paid ranks. He was a genuine role model.

Kotey achieved so much in his career. He held a Commonwealth, WBO, WBC International and WBF Intercontinental titles, and fought against some of the biggest names of his era. This is an enviable record.

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He was a credit to us in the boxing fraternity. He would fight a lion if he had to with no fear, but he was brought up to be polite and respectful and that had been reflected by the amount of tribute pouring in to him. I am sad that we have lost him at such a stage as we have very few boxing trainers and coaches now in the country.

He still had a lot to give to the country and the world of boxing. It is a tragedy for his family, friends and the entire boxing fraternity that such a talent had been lost at such a young age.

Fare thee well, the Cobra, you were an exemplary sportsperson and source of inspiration who demonstrated the power of human spirit and determination. I am very proud of your achievements and hope that others can feel inspired by your boxing journey.

Source: Ghanaian Times

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FIFA Club World Cup trophy complete three-nation African tour

As part of the build-up for the novelty FIFA Club World Cup, the glittering trophy has made a stopover in three African countries namely South Africa, Egypt and Tunisia towards whipping up enthusiasm and interest for the new competition.

The trophy was hosted by the representative clubs of each of the three countries – Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Al Ahly (Egypt) and Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Egypt) – giving their fans and followers of the game in their cities and the country at large, to have a feel of the trophy.

Accompanied by a distinguished FIFA Legend, the beautifully designed 10-Kg gold plated shield, was received to a rapturous welcome in the cities of Pretoria, Cairo and Tunis as fans anxiously awaited the competition that puts together the best 32-clubs in the world.

The first stop was in Pretoria from 7-9 February making stops at the Mamelodi High School, birthplace of Sundowns, where the entire student population erupted into ecstasy upon the sight of the glittering trophy.

The trophy was later felt by staff of the Tshwane Mayor Offices before terminating at the Sammy Marks Square where fans had the opportunity to take photos with the trophy and FIFA legend, Italy FIFA World Cup winner, Alessandro Nesta and Sundowns legends such as former captain Hlompho Kekana, Tiyani Mabunda and legendary goalscorer Daniel Mudau.

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“This trophy is a celebration of hope, pride and excellence. Today, we are not celebrating Sundowns going to the FIFA Club World Cup; we are celebrating the FIFA Club World Cup coming to Africa. We are excited to be part of this tournament and we can’t wait for the journey to begin,”Sundowns Chairman Tlhopane Motsepe said at a press conference.

The Brazilians as Sundowns are nicknamed are housed in Group F alongside Fluminense (Brazil), Borussia Dortmund (Germany) and Ulsan (South Korea).

From Pretoria, accompanied by FIFA legend Christian Vieri, the trophy headed for the Egyptian capital, Cairo, and the first stop was the iconic El Tetsh Stadium, the training grounds of current African champions Ahly. Later, the next stop was the Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum and finally the ancient city of Luxor between 13 and 14 February.

Housed in Group A alongside host Inter Miami who have the legendary Lionel Messi on their books, Porto (Portugal) and Palmeiras (Brazil), Ahly coach Marcel Koller is already looking forward to the opening game against Messi and his teammates.

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“We are looking forward to the game against Inter Miami with Messi (14 June 2025 in Miami). I’m looking forward to the match and I believe my players are too and will go all out to do their best.”

From 15-17 February, the trophy made its final stop in Tunis accompanied by France World Cup-winning midfielder Christian Karembeu.

Welcomed by hundreds of Esperance fans clad in their famous yellow and red colours, the trophy was unveiled at the popular Al Zaytuna Mosque, Bab Souika, one of the gates of the Medina in Tunis and finally El Jem Amphitheatre, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Four-time African champions, Esperance will open their Group D campaign against Flamengo of Brazil on 16 June before wrapping up against Leon (Mexico) and Chelsea on 20 June and four days later.

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Meanwhile, the final lap of the FIFA Club World Cup trophy in Africa will be in Casablanca, Morocco next April, home to Wydad Athletic Club. The Moroccans are housed in Group G alongside Manchester City (England), Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) and Juventus (Italy).

The tour will see the trophy make stops in the city of each of the 32 participating clubs in the biggest global club competition, scheduled for June 14 to July 13, 2025, in the United States. 

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Black Queens hold first training session in Casablanca in readiness for international friendlies

The Black Queens have held their first training session at the Lanoria club equitation pitch in Mohammedia, Casablanca as part of their preparation for the Morocco training tour.

Nineteen players worked on the pitch under the guidance of Kim Lars Björkegren. The training lasted for about an hour with the players being put through their paces by Athletics Coach Jordan Daitey.

Training will continue at the same venue on Tuesday and Wednesday before moving to the Pére Jégo Stadium on Thursday.

Here are some photos from the training as captured by our media team: 

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