Openda: Telkom still a giant despite title loss

Despite losing their title to arch rivals Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the finals of the Africa Cup for Club Championships on Saturday, national champions Telkom are still counting positives albeit the setback for the first time in six years.

The nine-time African Champions were on course to winning a 10th and a sixth consecutive crown, only to lose by a single goal in the tightly contested final in Accra, Ghana.

The Jos Openda coached side had an outstanding record in the preliminary stages of the competition, reaching the final unbeaten with four wins and a draw, topping the standings.

Despite the phenomenal show in the group matches, Telkom struggled with the host nation teams, GRA and Ghana Police where they won narrowly 1-0 against the former thereafter drawing 1-1 with the latter.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Openda says they leave the West African country with their heads held high despite settling second to the West Africans.

“For me I think we did an excellent job until in the finals where we were also headed for a victory, only for us to concede in the last minutes due to a lapse in the concentration.

“Playing here in Ghana is never an easy task. If you go back to history you will find that we have previously struggled playing here.  Considering we played host teams three times in the competition, it was even more challenging,” averred Openda.

Telkom went to Ghana breathing fire after delivering an unprecedented 20th Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) premier League title, thus booking their place in next year’s continental showpiece in which they will be looking to bounce back.

Apart from winning the the silver medal, their very own Cynthia Onyango was adjudged the goalkeeper of the tournament after conceding only two goals in the entire showdown.

The team is expected to jet back in the country on Tuesday morning, and will head straight to break after a busy schedule including in the December festive season.

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African Champions Openda: Telkom still a giant despite title loss Telkom walk heads high despite title loss

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