Hockey News of Friday, 19 January 2018

Source: isports360.com

GRA Ladies ready to host and win ACCC

GRA kick-start their competition with Strathmore of Kenya on Saturday GRA kick-start their competition with Strathmore of Kenya on Saturday

After coming second in the previous edition, reigning Ghanaian champions GRA ladies are well poised to lift this year’s edition.

After a successful training tour in South Africa, the team arrived with much enthusiasm ahead of the upcoming ACCC.

The team has trained restlessly at the hockey pitch with their focus on the ultimate.

“It would be a competitive tournament as all clubs love to come to Ghana and compete very well. We have been preparing since last year February going through all departments, conditioning them for the tournament. We know the other clubs will come fully prepared but trust me we are always going strive ahead”- Coach Boakye Yiadom.

“We played very well in Kenya last year but the home crowd played a role in Telkom beating us in the final. We have worked on our mistakes and are not allowing them to runaway with the trophy this time around. We have planned very well for them with lots information about the way they play. I’m not telling you the strategies we have mapped to stop them because it is a secret”, he added.

“We are representing Ghana as host and our target is to win. We are aware of threats especially from fellow host Ghana Police whom we played against in the local league edging past them on goal difference. The defending champions will also prove difficult after beating us last year in the final but we will sail through. Its host and win for GRA”, he concluded.

The GRA ladies team made their Africa Cup for Club Champions debut in 2008 winning a bronze medal in that edition. The team has since then won two silver medals in 2012 and 2016 with three other bronze medals in 2013, 2014 and 2015. A quest to win the first ever ACCC gold for both club and country is on.

GRA kick-start their competition with Strathmore of Kenya on Saturday 20th January, 2018.