Hockey: Royal Ladies target historic African title defence

Ghana’s undisputed queens of women’s hockey, the Royal Ladies of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), are poised to reign supreme once again as they return to familiar territory for the 2026 African Cup for Club Champions (ACCC) tournament in Zimbabwe from January 24 to 31.

The 36th men’s and 27th women’s editions of the African Hockey Federation (AfHF) elite club championship will be staged at the St John’s College Astro Turf in Harare, where the dominant Royal Ladies will be chasing history. 

Already the most successful women’s club on the continent, they are bidding to defend their title, complete an unprecedented treble of successive continental crowns and extend their own record to a sixth ACCC triumph overall.

Fresh from another imperious domestic campaign, the GRA ladies head into the tournament brimming with confidence.

They swept all before them on the local front last season, recording a flawless 100 per cent record in the Sapholda Greater Accra Hockey League and adding the Greater Accra Knockout, the Fetu Afahye Cup and the T-Tommy Memorial tournament in Kumasi to their growing haul.

With Africa firmly in their sights once more, the Royal Ladies will again lean on a formidable spine led by indefatigable captain Elizabeth Opoku.

She is ably supported by prolific forward Vivian Narkuor, last year’s Most Valuable Player and top scorer, as well as tournament-best goalkeeper Matilda Addison between the posts. On paper and on form, few sides appear equipped to halt their charge.

Ghana will also be represented in the men’s competition by the GRA side, who step into the continental spotlight despite finishing runners-up to Exchequers of the Bank of Ghana in both the league and cup last season.

The bankers have reportedly withdrawn from the ACCC due to financial reasons, opening the door for the taxmen to take action.