Story By: Ahashie Judeliver Eli
Ghana’s hopes of securing positions in the prestigious event took a hit as all 12 boxers sent by the nation to the qualifiers in Senegal- Dakar faced defeat.
The Black Bombers, found themselves on the losing end of their matches, leaving their Olympic dreams hanging by a thread.
Coach Ofori Asare, speaking exclusively to Happy Sports, attributed the team’s misfortune to poor officiating during the qualifiers. “It’s not true the team performed abysmally, we did good. We managed to get a boxer into the semis and it wasn’t easy. It was officiating and the pairing that affected us.”
Ghana’s disappointment was further compounded by unfavorable ballot outcomes, leading to several bouts against North African sides, particularly Algeria. Even in the semi-finals, the Black Bombers found themselves pitted against another North African opponent, intensifying the challenges they faced in Dakar.
Coach Asare remained resolute in his belief that the team would bounce back stronger, asserting, “We couldn’t qualify this time, but we would come back stronger.”
The Black Bombers arrived back in Ghana with mixed emotions, their Olympic aspirations deferred but not extinguished.
They have another opportunity on the horizon, as a series of qualification bouts scheduled for November offer them a chance at redemption.