Ghana’s senior women’s team are aiming for great start when they kick off their campaign at the African Women Championship against Algeria on Tuesday, November 2.
The Black Queens arrived in South Africa, Sunday morning from Accra for the start of the continental competition, are chasing a first title success in their seventh appearance at the competition.
A delegation made up of 21 players join seven other nations at the tournament that runs from October 31-14 November, 2010 in the ‘rainbow’ nation.
Coach A.K Edusei's team fine-tuned their preparations for the Championship with a camping period in Hanover, Germany, where they beat two German Liga two sides, BV-Coppenburg and FFC Gutersloft.
Their performances at the pre-tournament training tour has given Ghana's coach great optimism as the Black Queens get ready for their opening group B game. Group B also includes Cameroon and reigning champions Equatorial Guinea.
“Being in the same group with the defending champions (Equatorial Guinea) makes the group very dicey. There is also Cameroon, who have a strong team and we can’t underrate Algeria though they are not among the big teams," Ghana's coach said.
“Our target is to qualify for the World Cup and that means we have to reach the final. After the World Cup slot, we can think of winning the title.”
Captain of the Black Queens, Florence Okoe says the experience of the past would only seek to motivate them after Ghana, three-time losing finalist in the Championship's 12-year history, failed to live up their billing two years ago when they exited the competition at the group stage in Equatorial Guinea.
“In our last tournament, we didn’t perform well so this is our chance to lift the trophy for the first time. Most players now have the exposure so I think with this preparation, we can lift the trophy,” she said.
Ghana’s squad:
Goalkeepers: Memunatu Suleiman, Gladys Quansah and Leila Mohammed
Defenders: Yaa Avoe,Sakina Abdul Munim, Ama Saabi, Mary Barko, Patience Kpobi, Aminatu Ibrahim, Veronica Ashitey.
Midfielders: Akua Sika, Portia Boakye, Doris Nettey, Florence Okoe, Safia Mohammed, Leila Zikpi, Adwoa Bayor
Strikers: Agnes Aduako, Nancy Coleman, Diana Ankomah and Grace Ashitey