Ghana’s champion side, Ampem Darkoa Ladies, take on Ivorian challengers, Athletico FC this afternoon in a potentially electrifying duel of determination and prowess and further redefine their Women’s Champions League aspirations.
This second Group B encounter in the ongoing (CAF Women’s) Champions League WAFU Zone B qualifiers at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium promises to be a bruising battle by two sides who recorded victories in their opening matches.
Ampem Darkoa Ladies stamped their authority with a 4-2 win over Amis Du Monde of Togo last Sunday, while Athletico FC also beat the Togolese club 2-0 two days later.
The stakes have never been higher for Ampem Darkoa Ladies as they prepare for the all-important clash with their Head Coach, Nana Joe Adarkwa, leaving no stone unturned in his quest for redemption in the CAF Women’s Champions League.
After missing the coveted ticket to Africa’s premier inter-club competition last year, Ampem Darkoa Ladies are on a relentless pursuit to make amends, and their journey through the qualifiers has been nothing short of impressive.
Eye on top prize
Their resounding victory over Amis Du Monde has set the tone for today’s encounter and the coach said their eyes were firmly fixed on the ultimate prize — securing a place in the final and ultimately seizing a spot in the CAF’s top-tier women’s football.
“The focus is to win, and we have no option than to win, especially as we want to make it to the final and win the ultimate,” Coach Adarkwa declared in a telephone interview with Daily Graphic from his Nigerian base.
Drawing lessons from their previous encounter, and armed with an unyielding resolve, the Ghanaian ladies are prepared to leave nothing to chance against Athletico FC.
The determined coach intends to field a line-up similar to the one that delivered an impressive victory against Amis Du Monde last Sunday, underlining the team’s confidence and consistency in pursuit of their target.
“As I said earlier, the determination to win is still on course, and we will feature about 99 per cent of the players who started in our first game to achieve the target.
“The focus is to win, and we have no option than to win, especially as we want to make it to the final and win the ultimate,” he said.
Recognising the value of preparation, Coach Adarkwa and his squad carefully observed Athletico FC’s tactics during their match against Amis Du Monde.
It was a strategic move to arm the players and the coaches with valuable tactical information that could prove crucial in overcoming their opponents in today’s encounter.
“We watched Athletico win 2-0 against Amis Du Monde last Tuesday, and we have learnt a lot from that match to aid us as we meet them.”
“I realised that they have recruited four players from our last year’s opponents, African Sports, also from Cote d’Ivoire, but they couldn’t make it this year, so knowing all this about them has armed us for the match,” he said about important lessons acquired from spying on their opponents.
SOURCE: GraphicOnline
