GhanaFA

Queens look for Pretoria glory

16 years ago
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Ghana’s Olympic debut dream in women’s football would gather pace on Saturday when the Black Queens continue their search of landing qualification for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with an away game in South Africa against the Banyana Banyana.

Certainly a tough battle awaits the rest of the continent as the Caledonian Stadium in Pretoria hosts the Black Queens and the Banyana Banyana match.

The group which has Ghana on top the standings has been thrown wide open following the withdrawal of Ethiopia thus leaving the two sides for the tomorrow’s game and Nigeria to compete for the single slot available to Africa.

Ghana, with an impressive 1-0 home win over Nigeria would yet seek another victory to consolidate their hold on the group while South Africa after a poor start which saw them losing 5-0 to the Super Falcons must win this game or forget the Olympics as they are firmly rooted at the bottom of the group following Ethiopia’s withdrawal.

Despite winning the last encounter 2-0 at the All African Games in July against a Ghana team represented by the U-19 side, Black Princesses; South Africa have always played second fiddle to the Black Queens.

The senior teams of both nations last met in a competitive game during the 2006 Africa Women’s Championships in Warri, which the Black Queens squeezed a lone goal win.

As usual, the South Africa will bang their hopes on influential striker, Portia Modise to turn the tide in their favour against a strong Ghana side led by former African Player of the Year, Adjoa Bayor.

The Black Queens after beating Nigeria at home a fortnight ago remain resolute of taking the fight to their opponents and coach Isaac Paha and his charges are sure of returning to Accra unscathed.

“At least we can manage a draw,” was all the former Black Stars players said before his team departed for Pretoria on Wednesday.

Ghana are yet to taste Olympic football action in the women’s competition after narrowly missing out of the last edition when the Nigerians edged out the Black Queens in the final game.

The top placed team at the end of the qualifiers automatically qualifiers for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, while the runners-up engage Brazil in play off for the other slot.