GHANA’s Black Maidens, bronze medalists at the 2012 Under-17 Women’s World Cup, have promised to deliver another impressive outing as they begin their campaign at this year’s competition being hosted by Costa Rica.
Tomorrow, Costa Rica "opens its wings to the world" when the fourth edition of the U-17 WWC kicks off in San Jose with the Maidens kicking off their group campaign on Sunday.
After two weeks of training in the United States and months of preparation at home, the Maidens believe they are ready for the challenge in Group B.
“”No doubt we are in a tough group which has two former champions, Germany and North Korea but we believe we also have what it takes and we will surprise the world again,” Maidens coach, Evans Adotey told the Graphic Sports in a telephone interview.
Perhaps, Coach Adotey’s conviction stems from the fact that he has kept faith with most of the experienced players who won bronze two years ago when he was the assistant coach and believes he has the needed experience to guide the girls to another glorious feat.
The Maidens open their campaign against 2012 runners-up, North Korea in a match likely to see the exchange of skills, strength and determination.
While the Maidens have as many as 11 of their 2012 squad, the North Koreans have a new team but the same drive and passion with which they participated in the event two years ago.
"We want to break the record we set at the last World Cup. We won bronze, but we aim to be the first African team to win gold at the World Cup," striker Jane Ayieyam, who was the second highest scorer at Azerbaijan 2012, told newsmen on the team’s arrival in Costa Rica last Tuesday.
The Maidens are not the only ones aiming for the ultimate in Costa Rica and all the 16 teams are aware that their dreams start with their opening matches and the opening matches could be full of thrills and excitement as newcomers intend to come out boldly to prove that their qualification was no fluke while familiar foes are set to meet again.
For Group A, hosts Costa Rica will engage Venezuela in an all South American affair while Italy and Zambia, both debutantes, clash in the second game.
Africa's representatives Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia are in contention for the championship which runs from March 15 to April 4.
