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Soccer News of Friday, 9 January 2004

Source: KOFI ASARE BRAKO (Abatay)--- PEACE FM

Black Queens Step Up Training

A visit to the training grounds of the national women soccer team, the Black Queens of Ghana indicates that they are leaving no stone unturned on their way to qualifying for this year's Olympic Games to hosted in Athens, Greece. Some few players namely; Sabina Mensah, Henrietta Anie, Helena Mensah, Saphia Pele, Asmani Aziz, Miriam Boye and Mary Neequaye who are enjoying a call-up to the Queens camp for the first time in their career were seen fine-tuning with their senior colleagues with all seriousness.

Meanwhile, stalwart defender, Elizabeth Baidoo is reported to have arrived in the country a couple of days back to strengthen the team, even though she is yet to join her colleagues in camp.

Notwithstanding the fact that ace-striker cum skiper and inspirer of the team, Alberta Sackey may not be invited for the qualifier, the likes of Adwoa Bayor, Florence Okoe, Patience Sackey, Genevieve Clottey, Mavis Danso, Yaa Avoe, Akua Anokyewaa, Memunatu Suleimana and the rest would have to show to the world what they have in them to qualify Ghana for the Olympic Games.

Two key players , Lydia Ankrah and Mavis Djangmah who sustained various categories of injuries and are still nursing them, have joined the team at training, even though they are yet to kick a ball. The head coach, Jacob Oko Aryee who is being assisted by Mumuni Gamel, a coach of R.T.U., disclosed that the Queens are desirous of qualfying for the Olympic Games, after their failure to reach the quarter-final stage of the just-ended FIFA Women's World Cup in the U.S.A..

The Black Queens of Ghana are billed to play the Super Falcons of Nigeria in a crucial semi-final encounter in Nigeria on January 31. The winner after the two ties will then play the winner of the South Africa-Angola clash the other semi-finals.