Queens in must-win game against Banyana Banyana
Ghana's senior female football team, Black Queens, tipped among pre-tournament favourites to go all the way at this year's African Women's Championship (AWC) in Namibia, now have their backs to the wall and unless they win their remaining group matches, they will be heading for an early exit.
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The Queens face two must-win matches against tough opponents, South Africa and Cameroun, this evening and on Friday, respectively, to get their campaign back on track. Coach Yussif Basigi is hoping his ladies will be motivated by the ignition failure they suffered last Sunday, after losing 0-1 to Algeria, to rescue their campaign.
At this point, it is Cameroun and Algeria, both on three points from their 1-0 wins against South Africa and Ghana respectively, who lead Group B. The two clash early today, knowing a draw could still keep them in their positions.
However, there will be no consolation in a draw for Ghana and South Africa as they both know that only a win will enable them to survive in Group B, aptly tagged 'Group of Death'.
Aware of this difficult position, Coach Basigi has indicated that they wee going to carry out the fight to the South Africans and at the same time remain calm in front of goal in order not to squander the chances they would create as it happened in the opening game.
"Against Algeria, we were anxious to score and as time wore on, it turned into desperation. We want to avoid finding ourselves in that situation again, by being more tactful and better composed. The ladies have been talked to and hopefully it will yield results," he told the Daily Graphic.
Apart from indicating their intention to throw in everything, Basigi said the Queens would have to communicate better in the rear, a situation that was missing and which gifted the Algerians some decent chances.
Against a more experienced Banyana Banyana, also desperate to lift themselves from the bottom of the group, the Queens will have to guard against costly mistakes.
Though Coach Basigi is likely to stick to his starting line-up against Algeria, he may make two changes to strengthen the team — the more experienced Janet Egyir is likely to start ahead of Hillia Kobblah as well as Agnes Aduako instead of Faiza Ibrahim in the lead of attack.
Possible line up: Fafali Dumehasi, Linda Eshun, Rosemary Ampem, Janet Egyir, Cynthia Adobea, Juliet Acheampong, Mercy Myles, Leticia Zipki, Agnes Aduako, Elizabeth Cudjoe, Portia Boakye