Ghana's National Cricket Team yesterday lost to Malawi in their opening game of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World League for Africa Division 2 in Benoni City, South Africa.
The game, which was played at the Willowmore Park, saw Ghana assuming control after scoring 244 runs for 8 wickets in 50 overs in their innings.
But a more aggressive Malawi side managed to inch past Ghana with 245 runs for six wickets. Ghana's batsman, Kofi Anafi, was very impressive after scoring 51 runs.
In other games, Gambia beat Lesotho by five wickets after scoring 182 runs in 32 overs, while Morocco also beat Rwanda after scoring 10 runs for seven wickets in 34 overs.
The runners-up at the West African Quadrangular Tournament staged in Ghana began on a sound note by beating Mozambique with 198 runs for 4 wickets in 45 overs.
Ghana's game produced 489 runs, which was the highest on the first day. In an interview with the Daily Graphic, National Team Coach, Philip 'Ras Bingi' Taylor, said though Ghana lost, the players gave of a good performance.
"Kofi Anafi and the other Batsman did their part but the fieldsmen dropped a few catches. Yes, the weather is very cold but that was not an excuse for our loss because we arrived last Wednesday and have acclimatised as much as possible," he explained.
Coach Taylor, however, assured Ghanaians of a victory against Lesotho. "The fact that we lost does not mean that we are out. We will play against Lesotho as if our lives depended on it," team captain, Francis Kofi Bakaweyem, promised.
Ghana Cricket Association (GCA) Chairman Mr P.D. Vanderpuye-Orgle, is expected to arrive in Benoni City from Accra.
Dr William Ampofo, the Vice-Chairman of the GCA who is currently attending a conference in Cape Town, will also join the team later in the week.
Ghana sent a 14-man playing body made up of Francis Bakawiyem, Samson Awiah, Michael Ayirewuje, Kodom K. Anafi, Mathew Bawa, Abdul-Karim Sumaila, Mark Bawa, Obed Harvey Agbomadzie, Rufus K. Ntiamoah, Peter Ananya, James Vifah, Lawrence Ahadzi, Thomas Bakawiyem, and Moses Kofi Anafie.
Also accompanying the playing body are Messrs Osmo Kwame Addo, Team Manager, Kwame Asare, an umpire, and Eugene King, a scorer.
Story by Nathaniel Attoh
Dumsor: Don't rush to demand timetable; the problem may be temporary — Atik Moha...
Space X Starlink’s satellite broadband approved in Ghana — NCA
2024 election will be decided on the grounds of the economy; choice of running m...
Dumsor: We're demanding less; just give us a timetable — Kwesi Pratt to ECG
Do I have to apologise for doing my security work, I won’t – Simon Osei-Mensah r...
All my businesses have collapsed under Akufo-Addo — NDC Central regional chair
Military, Prison Officers clash in Bawku, three injured
GRA-SML contract: MFWA files RTI request demanding KPMG report
Court threatens to call second accused to testify if NDC's Ofosu Ampofo fails to...
Family accuses hospital of medical negligence, extortion in death of 17-year-old...
