20 Queens named for WAFU tourney
Black Queens head coach, Mercy Tagoe-Quarcoo, has named her final 20 players for this year's West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Zone B tournament scheduled for Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, from May 8 to 18.
Coach Tagoe-Quarcoo picked her team from 25 players who had been in camp in Cape Coast, having earlier dropped five players from the original 30 last week.
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The final list confirmed Graphic Sports’ prediction last Monday of the probable squad, except for Evelyn Owusuaa who missed out.
The five players who failed to make the WAFU squad are: Faustina Kyeremeh, Leticia Adjei, Veronica Darkwa, Abigail Tawiah Owusu and Elizabeth Owusuaa.
The final list has all the 11 players who featured for the Queens side which won the 2018 tournament in Abidjan, with goalkeeper Fafali Dumehasi set to be handed the No.1 role.
Also on the list are FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup top scorer, Mukarama Abdulai, and Grace Animah.
Explaining the choice of the final squad to the Daily Graphic, the coach who led the Queens to win the maiden tournament last year, said the players had been chosen due to the skill, talent and experience they would bring to the team.
"We wanted to take 21 players to Abidjan but the tournament rules allow for only 20 players.The final list selected is made up of players who have the experience, drive and talent to help us retain the title we won last year," she revealed.
The Queens are scheduled to leave for Abidjan on Friday and begin their title defence on May 9 against Mali in Group B, which also has Nigeria and Niger.
Final squad:
Goalkeepers: Fafali Dumehasi (Police Ladies), Azume Adams (Prisons Ladies), Barikisu Isshaku (Northern Ladies)
Defenders: Janet Agyir (Hasaacas Ladies), Gladys Amfobea (LadyStrikers FC), Justice Tweneboa (Ampem Darkoa), Ellen Coleman (Ladystrikers FC), Anatasia Akyaa (Sea Lions FC), Blessing Agbomadzi (Sea Lions Ladies), Rita Okyere ( Prisons Ladies)
Midfielders: Grace Asantewaa (Ampem Darkoaa Ladies), Diana Weige (Halifax Ladies), Juliet Acheampong (Prisons Ladies), Grace Animah (Police Ladies), Evelyn Badu (Hasaacas Ladies), Linda Addai (Soccer Intellectuals)
Forwards: Mavis Owusu (Ampem Darkoaa Ladies), Alice Kusi (Fabulous Ladies), Mukarama Abdulai (Northern Ladies), Jane Ayieyam (Police Ladies).