Soccer News of Wednesday, 28 August 2002

Source: gna

GHATEL to play for exhibition

After the drama that preceded the presence of Ghatel in the international women soccer tourney of mostly French speaking West African countries in Burkin a Faso, the dust now seemed settle for the Ghanaians to play two exhibition games and not in the competition itself.

After a three hour meeting in camera over the issue, Senegal and Benin opted to play the Ghanaians in order to maintain the cordiality between their countries.

It came to light that though the Ghanaians were not extended any formal invitation for the tournament, they are at the competition because they emerged as champions at the last tourney and could also participate in the name of good sportsmanship.

However, Mali and Ivory Coast vowed not to have anything to do with Ghatel because of the humiliation the two countries suffered when they were thrashed 22-0 and 5-1 respectively in the last meeting saying the Ghanaians were too good to be part of the competition.

Information gathered by GNA Sports indicated that after Ghatel won the cup in their maiden appearance, it was resolved by all the Francophone countries - Togo, Mali, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Benin- not to invite the Ghanaians to this year's tournament though this decision was not conveyed to them.

Having walloped all the teams last year it became obvious that no team wanted to meet the Ghanaians again hence the excuses.

Mali who was the only unbeaten team in the previous tourneys until Ghatel joined the competition saw in the Ghanaians their biggest threat to winning the cup hence their concern.

The Ghanaian contingent led by Mr Sylvester Mensah negotiated that the team should play Senegal and Benin in the face of not being wanted by the host and other countries because this would give the players some form of exposure in preparation for future assignments.

Mr Mensah explained that this would be worthwhile because the Queens would be playing Senegal in a qualifier next month and more so when majority of the Senegalese players at the tournament are in the national team.

"It would be a good opportunity to study the team ahead of that encounter," be said.