A total of twenty-three Black Queens players departed Accra for Conakry on Tuesday, July 11, via Air Cote d’Ivoire, to face their Guinean counterparts in the first leg of the first round of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Qualifiers.
The players, who were selected after a one-week rigorous training session, included goalkeepers Cynthia Fiindib Konlan of Swieqi United, Safiatu Salifu of Yanga Princesses and Kerri MCcarthy of Kumasi Sports Academy.
The strikers were Princella Adubea (Kiryat Gat), Mary Amponsah (Ampem Darkoa Ladies), Vivian Adjei Konadu (Gokulam Kerala FC), Gifty Assifuah (1207 Antalyaspor) and Doris Boaduwaa (Hasaacas Ladies).
Also on board were midfielders Ernestina Abambila (TME SMS Lodz), Grace Asantewaa (Real Betis Feminas), Azuma Bugre (IFK Norrkoping), Evelyn Badu (Avaldsnes FC), Fidous Yakubu (Ampem Darkoa Ladies), Junnifer Cudjoe (FC Nordsjaelland) and Stella Nyamekye (Dreams Ladies) were the midfielders.
The rest were defenders Linda Eshun (Hasaacas Ladies), Janet Egyir (Hapoel Jerusalem Katamon), Justice Tweneboah (BIIK Kazygurt), Anasthesia Achiaa (Ampem Darkoa Ladies), Adam Alhassan (Army Ladies), Portia Boakye (Djurgarden IF), Mavis Owusu (Ampem Darkoa Ladies) and Susan Ama Duah (Avaldsnes FC).
Addressing the media ahead of the trip, Head Coach Nora Häuptle expressed confidence in her charges to surmount every hurdle and qualify for the Olympics Games.
She banked her hopes on the quality of players in camp and the various technical assessment given to them in the past one week.
The Black Queens team before leaving the Kotoka International Airport for the Guinea job
“When you look at the draw, I think the first steps are very makeable,” she said.
Coach Nora continued: “Somehow we going to face Zambia and Morocco who are part of the World Cup which is beginning in two weeks so it will not be an easy route but am pretty convinced with the quality of players we have and a lot of matches, we have the chance to qualify.”
She, however, called for support for the team to enable them deliver on their promises.
“We ask for absolute support for the team so we can deliver,” she added.
SOURCE: GraphicOnline
