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Better times ahead for Stacey

Harry Stacey

Harry Stacey

 “I’m not too mad at the performance, although it wasn’t my best. It’s been a learning experience and definitely building blocks for the future.”

The above was the reaction from one of Ghana’s two representatives in swimming at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Harry Stacey.

As a debutant and relatively a new face as far as swimming was concerned in Ghana, not much was required of him.

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So when he lined up in the 100m Men Freestyle event in Heat 4, expectation was modest.

Stacey finished seventh with a time of 51.12 seconds, failing to qualify to the semifinals of the event.

As if that was not enough, the former Marlins Swim Club member’s time could notbetter his national record time of 50.57 seconds over the distance.

Naturally, the performance and disappointing outcome appears to have gone with the wind because ‘Fellow’ Ghanaians are becoming indifferent towards the country’s contingents at such sports festivals.

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As a beneficiary of one of the two wild cards granted by World Aquatics, FINA, following Ghana’s showing in swimming at the Accra 2023 Africa Games, Stacey was granted an opportunity to more or less dine with the swimming greats.

He represented no threat to any of the medals at stake because his time comes nowhere near the properly qualified swimmers.

As a young lad coming up, he and Ghana should be grateful for the opportunity and not be so shattered about his performance.

Stacey must be guided by the second part of the quote attributed to him that, “It’s been a learning experience and definitely building blocks for the future.”

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That perfectly describes his situation, especially when featuring in an event like swimming, dominated by countries such as the USA, Australia, South Africa and others with competitive advantage.

Instead of crying over spilt milk, Stacey should remain focused on improving his performances to record better times. His dream is very possible, but will take a lot of time, sacrifice and dedication to reach there.

The fact that swimming is yet to chalk any major feat as far as international championships are concerned does not mean that no athlete from Ghana can gain global recognition.

Under our own eyes and noses, South Sudan, a country with a dog’s chance in the world of sport is being discussed on major platforms because of the performance exhibited by its basketball team, the Bright Stars.

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They convincingly defeated Puerto Rico in the basketball event at the ongoing Games. Prior to that, they faced almighty USA in a preparatory game before the Games kicked off, losing by just a basket.

Clearly, that is an indication that there could be light at the end of the tunnel for the young and upcoming Stacey who would ride at the back of this opportunity to take the swimming world by storm.

 By Andrew Nortey

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Samartex up for Raja challenge

Coach Nurudeen Amadu

Coach Nurudeen Amadu

 CAF Champions League campaigners, Samartex FC, will tomorrow face Moroccan giants, Raja Casablanca, in the second round preliminary stage first leg match at the Accra Sports Stadium at 3pm.

Samartex secured passage to the second round after beating Cameroonian champions, Victoria United, 1-0 in both home and away fixtures.

Raja qualified to this stage after ‘dismantling’ Nigerien side, Association Sportive de la Garde Nationale Nigérienne, (AS GNN) 7-1 on aggregate.

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Samartex is reminiscing a chance to battle one of Africa’s greatest sides en route to playing at the group stages of the competition.

Ghanaians are well aware of the daunting task that face the current league champions but remain hopeful Samartex has what it takes to combat Raja.

Coach Amadu says they are unfased by the fire power of the visitors and has a plan to deal with the visitors.

Speaking ahead of the game, coach Amadu stated that, “Raja Casablanca scoring seven goals does not scare us; this is football and anything can happened. We know that it is going to be a very tough game, but we are ready for the task.”

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Having drawn blank in their first league game which served as preparation for tomorrow’s game, Coach Amadu would be hoping Baba Hamadu Musa, Emmanuel Mamah, Michael Ephson and Isaac Afful have a good day in front of goal to take their chances.

 BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY

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Up your game, Stars

Black Stars players celebrate a goal

Black Stars players celebrate a goal

 Four days after Ghana’s pride as a football nation was punctured badly at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, fans kept hopes alive, believing that the Black Stars would bounce back with a victory over Niger at a neutral venue.

But that was not to be as the team stumbled again, conceding a late goal by the Nigeriens to deny the Black Stars a vital three points to revive their campaign to Morocco 2025 AFCON.

The two heartbreaks contributed to make the week one that football fans would want to erase from their memories.

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Without any major achievement in recent years from the Black Stars, Ghanaians have guarded jealously a striking, remarkable and enviable record of making the Baba Yara Stadium venue a fortress for over 20 years.

Statistically, Ghana has been unbeaten in the last 24 years at the venue. That should be enough confidence booster for any faint-hearted fan.

But to see that record torn into pieces by a country not considered as a powerhouse is certainly a bitter pill to swallow.

The fans reacted aggressively following the shock defeat by causing destruction to facilities in the stadium, an action that cannot be justified but it is important to also state how unacceptable it was.

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With those points lost, attention switched to a do-or-die battle against Niger at a neutral ground.

Despite the poor show in the first game, a bit of confidence prevailed ahead of the Niger game.

That stemmed from the blame game by officialdom on the quality of the pitch at the Kumasi Stadium. Photos and videos of the Berkane pitch suddenly dominated social media space, giving the hope that fans were about to see the Black Stars all expected.

Indeed, they showed glimpses of that but like it is always said, the end justifies the means.

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Despite taking a first half lead from defender Alidu Seidu, the Stars went to sleep while the Nigeriens took over and stunned with the equaliser.

That was a blow too heavy for the fans to take and exposed what looks like a team lacking quality on the field and the bench.

Truth be told, watching the Black Stars is becoming a hell of a task for a lot of fans. Getting good pitches to play on has become a challenge. That is compounded by the poor display from the same players that performs incredibly with their respective teams abroad.

For Otto Addo, he is fast losing the confidence fans had in him and the earlier he ends the trend, the better would it be for him.

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Struggling with AFCON qualifiers is not a good signal because it is the same matches all other countries are using to test their strength ahead of the World Cup qualifiers which would demand far more than what is at stake now.

 By Andrew Nortey

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