Ghana’s Black Sticks will encounter their Nigeria counterparts in the first game of this year’s Hockey World League Round 1 at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium on Friday.

Host Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Namibia will all be battling each to get qualification to the second round in a knockout format.

In terms of FIH Hero World Rankings, the men’s teams are ranked as follows: Namibia (78), Nigeria (53), Ghana (43) and Kenya (38), while the women are ranked: Nigeria (62), Kenya (40) and Ghana (29).

Despite being the host country, Black Sticks coach Ebenezer Frimpong says we are ready to shock opponents.

“The team is psychologically ready for the tourney and we are physically ready but doing some small touch offs.

"The head coach has spoken to all players and every player is ready for the battle,” he told Starr Sports.


This is the second international event to be hosted in Ghana after 2012.