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Elizabeth Opoku, the inspirational captain of GRA Royal Ladies, has conquered Ghanaian and African hockey, lifting the title after title and etching her name in the sport’s history books.
Yet, despite an illustrious career decorated with trophies and accolades, her ultimate dream remains unfulfilled— competing at the Olympic Games.
For the four-time Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Hockey Player of the Year, the fire still burns.
Elizabeth has been a dominant force in both domestic and continental competitions, spearheading the all-conquering GRA Royal Ladies and playing a pivotal role in Ghana’s national team, the Black Sticks.
Her journey from a promising schoolgirl to the face of Ghanaian women’s hockey is nothing short of remarkable.
Elizabeth first caught the nation’s attention in 2009 as a 15-year-old high schooler at Kumasi Girls SHS. She dazzled at the Regional Games and was swiftly drafted into Ghana’s U-17 squad for the 2010 Hockey Youth Olympic qualifiers in South Africa.
Two years later, she made the U-21 team for the Junior World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a stellar career.
Her rise was meteoric. By 2012, she had earned a place in Ghana’s senior national team, where she has remained ever since, featuring in multiple Hockey Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and 2022.
But perhaps her greatest triumph came in March 2023, when she played a crucial role in Ghana’s historic 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Nigeria to clinch the country’s first-ever hockey gold medal at the African Games in Accra.
Despite these achievements, Elizabeth still yearns for an Olympic berth. Ghana came agonisingly close to securing a ticket to Paris 2024, only to fall at the final hurdle against Africa’s powerhouse, South Africa.
“Every athlete’s ultimate goal is to go to the Olympics; that’s the pinnacle of sports. I’ve been to the Commonwealth Games and played in the Africa Cup of Nations, but the Olympics is different. I want to experience that before I hang up my stick and boots,” she told Graphic Sports in an exclusive interview.
Elizabeth’s hunger for success was evident in Egypt earlier this year, where she captained GRA Royal Ladies to their fourth consecutive African Club Championship crown, their fifth overall.
The team was ruthless, scoring 27 goals and conceding just two in five games. Striker Vivian Narkuor scooped the MVP and Goal King awards, while goalkeeper Matilda Addison was named the best shot-stopper.
Yet, the captain insisted their success was far from straightforward.
“It wasn’t an easy tournament at all. The best clubs in Africa were there, and we had to fight for every win.
The weather in Ismailia was challenging, but our coaches prepared us mentally and physically. We stayed focused, took our chances and got the job done,” Elizabeth revealed.
Elizabeth’s talent has not gone unnoticed. In January, she won her fourth SWAG Hockey Player of the Year award, adding to her triumphs in 2014, 2015, and 2019. But of all her accolades, the 2019 award remains the most cherished.
“That award changed my life,” she admitted. “I got the opportunity to present it to our then-Commissioner General, and as a result, I was recruited into the Ghana Revenue Authority. It was the happiest moment of my career because it opened doors for me beyond the pitch.”
Elizabeth’s journey has not been without obstacles. Before discovering hockey, she was a budding footballer, but her mother strongly opposed her sporting ambitions.
“My mum didn’t approve. She even seized a pair of football boots I had saved up to buy. But when I got to senior high school, I had the freedom to make my own choices, and that’s when I fell in love with hockey,” she recounted.
Despite her initial fears of the game’s intensity—the hard sticks and fierce tackles—she soon excelled, earning selection for regional and national teams.
By 2013, she faced a tough decision: accept a job at the GRA Customs Division or complete her university education. She chose school, a decision she believed paid off in the long run.
“Education is key. I had to sacrifice some tournaments, but it was worth it. After graduating, I still got the chance to join the service and continue playing hockey at the highest level,” she said.
Now an established star, Elizabeth is looking beyond her career. She is passionate about growing hockey in Ghana and has set her sights on grassroots development.
“We need more hockey infrastructure. Right now, the only standard AstroTurf is in Accra. The one in Kumasi isn’t up to standard. If corporate bodies or the government can invest in more pitches, more people across the country will get involved in the sport,” she appealed.
She also wants to inspire the next generation of female athletes.
“There’s a stereotype that girls belong in the kitchen while boys go to school. But sports and education can go hand in hand.
Young girls should never let anyone discourage them. If you love the game, go for it,” she urged.
Elizabeth dreams of setting up a programme to provide young hockey players with essential equipment and educational support.
“Hockey is mostly played in Accra, Cape Coast and Takoradi. But I want to expand it to other regions — Volta, Northern and beyond. We can scout young talents, give them sticks and boots and even help those who aren’t in school get an education,” she revealed.
Despite her leadership and experience, Elizabeth has no plans to transition into coaching.
“Many of my teammates think I’d make a good coach, but I just don’t have that passion for it. I love playing and watching, but coaching isn’t for me,” she admitted.
However, she continues to learn from the best. Locally, she idolises former national captain Ebenezer Frimpong and Elikem Akaba of Exchequers, while internationally, she studies Dutch star Felice Albers, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and world champion.
“I watch all her matches. I learn so much from her style of play,” Elizabeth said.
While her mother once resisted her sporting ambitions, she is now Elizabeth’s biggest supporter.
“She calls me before every match to pray for me and even sings Daddy Lumba’s Mpaebo to encourage me. She uses it as her ringtone,” Elizabeth shared with a smile.
With her mother’s unwavering support, an unmatched passion for the game, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, Elizabeth is already a legend in Ghanaian hockey.
But she won’t stop pushing until she leads Ghana onto the biggest sporting stage of all—the Olympic Games.
