The 2023 African Games are underway in Ghana, with the host nation still awaiting its first medal four days into the competition.
According to the official games website, a total of 40 medals have been awarded so far, with Egypt leading the medal table with 11 medals, including seven gold, two silver, and two bronze.
Morocco follows closely behind with four medals, including two gold, while Tunisia and Algeria have five and six medals respectively.
Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Senegal are the only West African countries to have won medals so far. Cameroon, South Africa, Chad, the Republic of Congo, and Libya have also secured medals.
Egypt’s dominant performance comes as no surprise, given their recent successes in the previous two games.
However, Ghana is hoping to turn things around and secure medals in football, athletics, and other events.
The men’s and women’s football teams are seen as strong contenders, and the Ghana Athletics Association president, Bawa Fuseini, believes they can win seven gold medals in athletics.
Ghana has a strong track record in the men’s 4x100m relay, having won gold in Rabat 2019, and they are looking to defend their title. Swimmer Abeiku Jackson and his team are also confident of success in their respective events.
The opening ceremony of the games is set to take place on Friday afternoon at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon, with popular musicians Shatta Wale and King Promise slated to perform. The event promises to be an exciting spectacle, with thousands of fans expected to attend.
While Ghana may not have had the best start to the games, there is still plenty of opportunity for them to make a comeback and secure medals in various events.
The tournament is shaping up to be an exciting and closely contested affair, with several nations vying for top honours.