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Soccer News of Wednesday, 13 June 2012

Source: CAFonline

We are hopeful of qualification - Dadzie

Ghana Black Queens are walking a tight rope as far as their chances of qualifying for the 2012 CAF Women’s Championship is concerned after managing a one all draw with Cameroon in the first leg of the final qualifier two weeks ago.

The Ghanaians, rated the continent’s third force behind Nigeria and Cameroon are faced with the danger of missing out on Africa’s flagship women’s football tournament for the first time since the inception of the biennial championship in 1998.

From the first leg, the Indomitable Lionesses, one of the continent’s two representative for the impending London 2012 Olympic Games together with South Africa, need at least a barren draw to shatter the dreams of the Black Queens as far as reaching the Equatorial Guinea finals is concerned.

The Black Queens must produce a result nothing short of victory against the London-bound Cameroon team, which gave them much to worry about in the first leg. With most Ghanaians partly confined to the believe that, the Black Queens may for the first time sit out of the continental championship, Head Coach James Kuuku Dadzie, thinks otherwise.

“Cameroon has an advantage after the 1-1 draw in the first leg. The away goal is vital for their chances.

“They (Cameroon) have a strong team and their performance reflected the latest rankings. However, all is not yet lost. We are hopeful of qualification, said Dadzie.

Dadzie and his team enjoyed an eight-day camp in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian capital, as part of preparations towards the game and the ex-national defender is upbeat their stay in the landlocked country is a step in the right direction.

“Training in Ethiopia which has a higher altitude was the right choice we took. We have prepared very well and are looking forward to the clash in Yaoundé.”

The Ghanaian trainer admits they are faced with a tall mountain as the Cameroonians have yet to taste defeat in the last four meeting between the two sides.

“Playing away won’t be easy. Football is full of uncertainties and we hope to get the results we so badly need at their backyard.”

Ghana’s Black Queens lost thrice to Nigeria in the final in 1998, 2002 and 2006 as well as claiming bronze in 2000 and 2004.