Black Princesses coach Charles Sampson has expressed his long-term ambition to build a winning team capable of competing and winning laurels on the international stage.
Sampson, a former player for Ghapoha, took over the reins of the team last month and is focused on creating a team culture and environment that fosters player growth and success.
In an interview with ghanafa.org, Sampson emphasized the need to assemble a team that can qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and advance beyond the group stage. With his vision and expertise, Sampson is poised to lead the Black Princesses to new heights and bring pride to Ghanaian football.
Read on for the full transcript:
On career as a footballer and how it all began
Home is always home; it always feels good to come home. Actually, I did O levels in Tamale and then I completed and decided to come and do A levels here in Accra then Football took over and I ended up in Ghapoha in 1995. After two seasons I got the chance to go to Greece and then went to Kalamata in 1997. So, from Kalamata, I played in different clubs in Greece in with the likes of OFI-Crete, Fostiras, then came back and played Kalamata again before I left to Sweden in 2004. I have been in Sweden from that time until now. So, I’ve lived in Sweden for almost 22 years now.
On coaching and how it took off
Actually, when I realized that I will step out of the game, I started developing the interest in my last club IFK Lulea in the Division one. I did my first coaching courses from there and then I moved to my former club and started coaching at the youth levels - the boys U-15 and U-17 until I took over the Ladies’ team. I’ve been coaching at the youth levels in different categories from U-19 boys, U-15, U-17, and then I went to the Ladies’ side from the youth level and later got promoted to the senior level with the Women team in 2019. I’ve been in the Women’s football space for a while now.
On national team appointment
Actually I wasn’t surprised at all; it is something that I have been looking forward to. I knew that I am in that line and so I was always looking forward to come closer to the Women national team because I have passion for it.
On the level of Women’s football in Ghana
Actually, coming down I was not really sure of what to expect so I had an open mind. My daughter was affiliated to the U-20 two years ago at the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica so I developed interest from there. I followed the U20, so in a nut shell I had a little bit of view of how they operate. I followed them in France until they went to the World Cup. So, it was something that I was already connected to. I was happy that I got the opportunity to come and then I was really happy to see what I have seen these past two to three weeks. Technically yes, I was amazed to see the sort of talent we have. I have been into Women’s football for a while; I can say to you that technically talent wise we have it but lack in other aspects of the game. Tactical areas and also physical aspect, a team playing way that is what I see is lacking but individual talents are there in abundance. Individual actions are always there but to get the team to function as a unit is what I see is lacking but those are the things we can work on and get it fixed. I think the future of these girls is great.
On individual aspirations to qualify Ghana to another FIFA World Cup
Actually, I have read about it, am a bit updated with what the U-20 have done until now. I’m very aware of it and am also looking forward and hoping that I will have a group that can do better than my predecessors have done. First of all, the aim is to get the team, so am glad I came down. Now they have scouted almost about 75 players that have screened around then I can confidently say that we have got a core of the team. But scouting never ends when it comes to the national team to we will continue to look for more quality players until we have a complete team. Moving forward we will see what to add and what to take out and make sure we build a very competitive team that can do better than what the previous squad did. That is the aim and I am very excited with that.
On watching domestic football
Since I came down, I’ve actually watched two games at the local level. I intentionally wanted to watch, I watched a Division One game because most of our U 20 players were scouted in Division One. I went and watch a Premier League game too so I have a fair idea of how it looks like. Then I have also watched the U 17 play, I was at Prampram during the WAFU B U-17 Cup of Nations. Even through the players are U-17, we could even pick a few players from there to the U-20 which I have seen personally so I was glad that we could pick those girls, which looked almost like they are ready, even if it’s a little bit higher age for them.
On expectations
I think that expectation should be that, the U-20 have had a history. Ghana is known to produce talents at the younger age so I don’t think it’s something new. I am not worried about that at all, and that is the aim. The aim is to qualify to the World Cup so we go step by step but of course the bigger picture will be to do even better at the World Cup. That’s why building a team and getting a team that can compete is our focus right now. I was happy that I joined the Black Queens last summer and had an idea even about three girls from Queens are part of the U-20. The experience with the Black Queens has given me a broader picture as regards what to look up to. I think we are on the right path and I am glad we started this early and we could have time to build it on.
On scouting
Now I’ve tried to establish a scouting network whereby we can know which part of the game, roles or players that we need to add up going forward. People are there to be watching and monitoring players so I will have that database to go through and select the best players to represent our nation.
On program line up for the team from now to September when the World Cup qualifiers kicks off
I have drawn a plan for the year and submitted to the GFA and I am waiting for an approval so the plan is to meet very soon and play some game to assess the team and make sure that before September we are ready. The first assignment will be in September against either Tunisia or Togo who are going to play with each other in May. We shall keep an eye on those games to see the sort of opponents and prepare ahead. So yes, there is a plan in place until the first qualifiers.
On making use of the new junior national teams to form a strong squad
I think a consistency is very important in football. I think Ghana have also gone through the youth level very well. Ghana played the U-17 a little bit early and later to the U-20, so I am aware of the structure we have from youth levels and I think we’re in a position to be one of the dominant countries when it comes to youth football. It’s up to us to maximize it. It’s about how we put it down and then find the consistency and make sure we take it far. This is a very exciting project for me and I think I am ready for it. I’ve been in this line for a while and so I feel I am ready to take it to the next level. I’ve been preparing myself for this assignment so for me I am at the right place and at the right time. What I will try to bring in is structure, knowing exactly what we want and how to get there, how to train and how to get results on the field. Again it is important to make players know their roles. That’s something we all come into agreement with as a team and we will work towards it. That includes, knowing what to do, how to do it and we creating the right culture and environment for the players to thrive.
On choosing between results and performance
Results are absolutely important. The U-20 have had a history of doing well and qualifying for the World Cup so we have to continue and even do better. Our first priority is to qualify for the World Cup then we also have another goal, which is to progress from the group stage for the first time and move on and one. I’m humbled with the appointment and I will do the best I can with what I’ve learnt all this while. As a former footballer and also a coach I will try to bring success to my country there’s no better accolade than that. I am happy that I got to bring in my experience and to teach and to make sure that we establish something really great.
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