The 1-1 draw result of the first leg match between the Black Queens and their Nigerian counterparts, the Super Falcons for a place at the Athens Olympic Games puts the Ghanaian ladies in pole position to qualify for the next round of the competition.

That conviction becomes more apparent when it is considered that the Nigerians had to trail the Queens for well over 60 minutes before drawing level in their own backyard at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan. No doubt, the overall winner of this Ghana - Nigeria soccer fixture stands the enviable chance of representing Africa at the Olympics because the final opposition would be the winner between Angola and South Africa, who to say the least, is not likely to offer any steel resistance.

But as the Queens prepare to host the Falcons, they must be mindful of the vicissitudes that characterise association football and eliminate any complacent feelings and attitude from their demeanour. It would be appropriate to go into the return leg on home soil, as if they had lost the first match and ensure that the Nigerians are beaten by all means.

A review of the first leg would show that the much, extolled away draw was not attained without great toil and some element of luck. The Ghanaian attack froze early in the match and it required stout defending and some divine providence to earn a vital point against the physically superior Nigerian ladies.

That notwithstanding, the Queens showed they could play football anytime they decided to move forward, meaning if their conditioning is good, they stand a better chance than their Nigerian counterparts. Suffice it to say that the Ghanaians will be playing before their pet crowd on a familiar field and it is the home advantage syndrome, which is likely to puff up their mentality that all is rosy that must be guarded against.

Our lady soccer players must be psyched up sufficiently to go and operate with a high level of commitment that would push them to run for 90 minutes and quench the dominance of the Falcons.

Between now and match day, coaches Jacob Oko Aryee and Mumuni Gamel must endeavour to work on the durability of the girls to make them sturdy and fit for the gruel that the match is expected to produce. The prize is an appearance at the Olympic Games and it will be a plus for Ghana and the players themselves if they achieve that at the expense of the African champions.

It was evident from the first match that the Queens are better ball jugglers than the opposition and if their skillful disposition is supported by the will to succeed, then half the battle is won. In camp, the same care and concern that was exhibited by Mrs. Cecilia Laast and Dr. Carol Collison in Ibadan must be sustained while the Ministry of Youth, Education Sports and the Queens Management Committee of the Ghana Football Association must ensure that the girls are motivated well enough to fight to win.

All said and done, it is important to note that the match is not going to be an easy battle and the Queens must avoid complacency.