The National men and women?s hockey teams arrived in Pretoria, South Africa, under the leadership of the Chairman of the Ghana Hockey Association 6 days ahead of the push-off of the Africa Cup of Nations. The objective is to ensure that the teams acclimatize and stabilize in the new environment ahead of the crucial world cup qualifier for the African continent.
The teams arrived to a harsh and dry South African weather with the battle to beat the performance inhibitions of a high altitude starring them in the face. According to the Team Medical Officer, Dr. Agbeko Ocloo, the decision to arrive in South Africa a few days ahead of the commencement of the competition was a good one as it gives the Technical Team the opportunity to fine-tune their preparations and condition the players for the gruelling task ahead.
The teams checked into their hotel from the Johannesburg Airport and retired immediately to shake off the jet lag and focus for the coming days. The Team officials held a series of discussions with members of the South Africa Hockey Association to finalise the training schedules for the teams and arrange other logistics.
The teams loosened-up with a training session on Monday morning and followed up with another session on Tuesday afternoon. Training matches have been arranged for both teams on Wednesday evening as part of the final stages of preparations. The men and women to represent the nation will be:
Women: Men:
1. Josephine Adusei 1. Aikins Danso
2. Evelyn Ahiabor 2. Emmanuel Akorful
3. Pamela Condoberry 3. Salya Nsalbini
4. Rejoice Noi 4. Charles Moses
5. Erica Ametepe 5. Robert Sackey
6. Olivia Lartey 6. Isaac Moses
7. Georgina Sam 7. Lawrence Nartey
8. Mirabel Lamptey 8. Isaac Ofori
9. Beatrice Darko 9. Benedict Sam
10. Grace Malmon-Halm (Captain) 10. Ebenezer Frimpong
11. Emelia Aggrey 11. Daniel Lamptey
12. Ramatu Abass 12. Elikem Akaba
13. Cecilia Ofoe 13. Edward Oblie
14. Greta Aryeetey 14. Gad Oblitey (Captain)
15. Esther Parry 15. David Ghablah
16. Gifty Obo 16. Joseph Appiah
17. Gertrude Inkoom 17. Nii Armah Akrong
18. Susana Kotey 18. Alfred Armah
Richard Abaidoo (Head Coach) Winfred Sackey (Head Coach)
Emmanuel Ahadjie (Asst. Coach) Osei Boakye-Yiadom (Asst.)
Agatha Hagan (Team Manager) Frank Awuku (Team Manager)