Africa Club Championship: CEPS and Golden Sticks Win Bronze

Two Ghanaian clubs, CEPS Ladies and Golden Sticks won the bronze medals in their respective divisions at the Africa Cup for Club Champions Competition in Abuja.

CEPS beat compatriots Reformers 1-0 in a closely contested match to complete the double over them in this competition. Striker Monica Sewell-Grant took on the defense of Reformers in the 4th minute and swerved past goalie Rosemond Abrokwa to tuck the ball home for the only goal of the match.

In the fiercely contested men’s bronze medal match, Golden Sticks raced into a 2-0 lead at half time and added a third early in the second half. Yobe however rolled themselves out of their initial slumber and turned on the heat on the Ghanaian Bankers. In the process, they scored twice in rapid succession and kept the goal area of the Ghanaians boiling. In their persistent raid to pull level, they depleted their defense by committing more men upfront. They paid dearly for that when Golden Sticks continuously soaked the pressure and turned on a swift counter attack in the 56th minute to increase the tally to 4. Try as Yobe did, Golden Sticks were resolute in defense and managed to hold on till the final whistle.

Earlier, Sharkia beat Bayelsa Queens 2-1 after trailing 0-1 at halftime to place 5th in the 7 club competition.

The championship matches are scheduled for Sunday as the two defending champions Heartlands of Nigeria and Sharkia of Egypt seek to keep their titles in the women and men’s divisions respectively. Heartlands will come face to face with 4 times champions Telkom Orange of Kenya in a match that promises to be full of fireworks while former Champions Police Union of Egypt will attempt to wrestle the crown from their compatriots in what will definitely be a hot contest.