Like Tokyo 1964 Ghana once again entered for boxing, athletics and football at the Mexico 1968 Olympics. The football discipline was however on invitation because the zonal winners Morocco pulled out. Their reason was that they felt uncomfortable being in the same group with Israel for political reasons. Ghana had placed second in the qualifying series and the invitation was most welcome.

Unfortunately the Ghana contingent returned home empty handed

Football

Ghana 3 Israel 5 (Leon)

Ghana were beaten 5-3 by Israel in an ill tempered match which developed into a free for all fight midway through the second half.

French referee Michel Kitabajain marched off George Alhassan and Jones Attuquayefio who were banned for two matches. Later the Ghana Amateur Football Association (GAFA) suspended skipper Addo Odametey and Abukari Gariba for six months each. Addo Odametey was alleged to have jumped on the referee and taken his whistle while Abukari kicked him.

Ghana 2 Hungary2 (Guadalajara)

Ghana fought a pulsating 2-2 draw with Hungary in the second match at Guadalajara. All the goals were scored in the first half.

Ghana took the lead in the 10th minute through Ibrahim Sunday but the Hungarians struck back fiercely and scored twice through Dunai and Ivan in the 30th and 35th minutes. However a good pass from wizard dribbler Osei Kofi found Sammy Stephens who delivered a carpet shot to earn the equalizer just before the recess. No goals were scored in the exciting second half in which goalkeeper John Naawu was outstanding.

Ghana 1 El Salvador 1 (Leon)

Ghana failed to reach the qualifying stages when the Black Stars split the points with El Salvador in the last of the group matches in Leon.

Rodriquez gave El Salvador the lead three minutes before half time and Osei Kofi scored from the spot in the 56th minute to get the equalizer.

The football contingent was made up of John Naawu, Robert Mensah, John Botchway (goalkeepers); Oliver Acquah, Ben Kusi,Addo Odametey, John Eshun, Akuamoah Boateng,(defenders) , Kpakpo Allotey,Ibrahim Sunday, Jones Attuquayefio,Amusa Gbadamoshie (midfielders) Abukari Gariba,George Alhassan, Osei Kofi, Robert Foley, Sammy Stephens, Malik Jabir

Athletics

A contingent of 10 athletes including one woman represented Ghana in track and field. Their performances were;

Mike Ahey was eliminated in the 100 metres second round. He had placed third in the first round in 10.5 secs. He was 13th in the long jump with 25ft 6ins.

+J.A.Addy was eliminated at the semi final stage of the 2oo metres placing 4th in 20.9 secs.

+J.K.Ametepey reached the semi-finals of the 800 metres. He clocked 1 min52-4 secs erasing .02 secs off the national record.

The 4x 100 relay quartet of Edrward Owusu, Mike Ahey, Wiiliam Quaye, J.A.Addy was eliminated in the heats timed at 39.9 secs.

+Sam Bugri was eliminated in the semi-finals of the 400m clocking 45.8 secs

+J.O.Amoah failed to reach far in the triple jump but his best leap of 50ft 9ins was a national record.

+ Robert Hackman fell out after five laps in the 5000 metres complaining of a muscle pull.

The lone woman Alice Anum affectionately called Baby Jet was eliminated in the first round of the 200metres heats. Her time of 23.9 secs however broke the national record of 24.7 secs. Alice was disqualified in the long jump for multiple “no jumps”.

Boxing

The seven man boxing contingent was made up of flyweight Joe Destimo; bantamweight Sulley Shittu lightweight Anthony Martey; light-welterweight Aaron Poopola;light-middleweight Prince Amartey; middleweight George Aidoo and heavyweight Adonis Ray

Apart from Sulley Shittu and Prince Amartey who won a fight each the remaining boxers were eliminated in their opening bouts

Batamweight Sulley Shittu out-pointed Dary Dasuba of Niger in his first fight before losing a split points’ decision to Horst Rasher of West Germany.

Light-middleweight Prince Amartey also out-pointed Saleh Abdul-Wahab of Sudan in his first fight but lost the net encounter.

Flyweight Joe Destimo was stopped in the third round by Serillo De Oliveira of Brazil

Lightweight Anthony Martey was out-pointed by Enzo Petriglia of Italy

Welterweight Aaron Poopola was out-pointed by Celah Sandal of Turkey.

Heavyweight Adonis ray was out-pointed by Joaquin Rocha of Mexico