African Hockey Club Championships - Georgina Revives Reformers

After wasting a penalty stroke last Saturday in their 0-1 loss to Telkom of Kenya, female inspirational player, Georgina Sam, became the hero yesterday when she atoned for her mistake as she brilliantly converted a beautiful stroke against Nigerian side, Heartland, to revive the hopes of Reformers at the ongoing African Hockey Clubs Championship in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Ghana Prisons Service team leapfrogged from the bottom to the third position behind Telkom (eight points) and Heartland, who have the same six points as Reformers but with better goal difference.

After a fruitless effort which saw Gloria Barning wasting a penalty stroke, Reformers had to rely on the experience of Georgina in the 53rd minute to rekindle their hopes.

2004 SWAG Female Player of the Year, Olivia Lartey, wasted a penalty, stroke as CEPS, who started very well in the competition, could not get their rhythm as they settled for another 0-0 game against Telkom after registering the same score-line against Sharkia last Saturday.

They are now on five points behind Reformers.  

Ghana's flagship male team,  Exchequers of the Bank of Ghana, got their wheels running with two draws, one against local rivals, Golden Sticks, last Saturday in a thrilling encounter to mark a night of local derbies at the Abuja Stadium.

Two great strikes by Jacob Paa Nii Sowah from penalty corners for Golden Sticks and a similar one by Alfred Armah and a flip by skipper Ben Tarley for the Exchequers settled matters for the two Ghanaian sides who exhibited enormous talents and skills.

The Ghanaian male teams are, however in uncomfortable position with just two points and one point respectively from two matches. Golden Sticks lost 1-2 to Egyptian side Police last Friday, while Exchequers drew 1-1 with a well-drilled Delta Force team of Nigeria.

 Al Sayed Adnan scored a penalty stroke in the early minutes of the game and added another in the second before Jacob Paa Nii Sowah converted one of 12 shot corners for Golden Sticks.

On their part, Exchequers were cruising to their first win after four year's absence from the prestigious competition when the Nigerians, mostly national team players, cancelled the lead with just two minutes remaining.

Story by Daniel Kenu.