Sports
Amoah Hopes To Win Ghana Recall
Matthew Amoah hopes his move to Dutch side SC Heerenveen
will help him win back a place in the Ghana squad.
The 31-year-old forward had an unsuccessful spell in Turkey
last season and has not played for the Black Stars since the 2010 World Cup.
But after returning to Netherlands, Asamoah told Tidesports
Source, “I hope I haven’t played my last
match for Ghana.
“Coach Akwasi Appiah has not called me yet, but I think I
can still contribute to this team.”
Amoah made his international debut against Morocco in 2002
and has scored 13 goals in 43 appearances for his country.
He was instrumental in helping Ghana reach their first World
Cup finals in 2006 – and qualify again in 2010 – and is rightly proud of those
achievements.
“The World Cup 2006 in Germany was in my opinion Ghana’s
finest hour in football. It was the first time we attended a World Cup. We won
against the Czech Republic, which was one of the top performers in Europe at
that time,” he said.
“My role in the team in 2006 made it much more satisfying
than reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2010. However, I was top
scorer for Ghana during the 2010 qualifiers.”
And Amoah believes he could play an important role in the
current squad in the qualifiers for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2014
World Cup now that he has returned to the country where he started his
professional career.
Since joining Vitesse Arnhem in 1998, Amoah has played in
Netherlands for all but three years of his career – a spell in Germany for
Borussia Dortmund between 2005 and 2007 and then last summer he joined Turkish
side Mersin Idman Yurdu.
That last move proved to be a disaster for the forward and
he revealed: “There was a great difference between the time I was introduced in
Turkey and right after signing the contract. The atmosphere suddenly changed.
“I played a couple of matches, but it just didn’t feel right
anymore. I wanted to leave as quickly as possible.”
But now Asamoah is feeling positive about the future, having
signed a two-year deal with SC Heerenveen, who are managed by legendary Netherlands
striker Marco van Basten.
“It is a club that has gone sky high over the last decade,”
he said. “They’ve become a challenger in the Dutch Eredivisie.
“Marco van Basten being the manager at the club is not the
only reason for me to sign with SC Heerenveen. However, he’s a good manager
because he is very clear about his vision and rules. You know what to expect.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.