Queens ready for games that count

Alberta Sackey and Memunatu Sulemana will lead Ghana in its second consecutive appearance in the Women's World Cup.

Sackey, a midfielder who was selected the African women's soccer player of the year, scored the goal that led to Ghana's 1-0 upset against Nigeria, another 2003 World Cup team, in a group match in the 2002 African Women's Championship.

Sulemana is regarded as the best goalkeeper in Africa. An eight-year veteran of the national team, she was the player of the match in the win against Nigeria.

The Black Queens have trained in the Portland area since August. They have played eight exhibition games against Canada's national team and the University of Portland, among others.

"We came here to play teams whose performance is on par with World Cup teams, and we have played quality matches since we have been here," Ghana coach Oko Aryee said. "We are very happy. Now, we have seen that we are on course."

The team is scheduled to leave Sept. 17 for Carson, Calif., to play its first two games in Group D. The Black Queens play China, the 1999 World Cup runner-up, on Sept. 21 and Russia on Sept. 25 before returning to Portland to play Australia at PGE Park on Sept. 28.

The team's delegation turned in its final roster to FIFA this week. Aryee cut two players, Enyo Dzata and Sheila Okai, in trimming the roster to 20 players, including three goalkeepers.