The head Coach of Ghana's Under-17 female soccer team, Black Maidens, Abraham Allotey, has hinted that the team's two-weeks training tour in the United States has really been successful and finetune their preparations ahead of the FIFA Under-17 female World Cup.
The competition which kicks-off next Sunday in Trinidad and Tobago till September 25th, has the Black Maidens grouped alongside Canada, Brazil and the Republic of Ireland in Group D.
Coach Allotey believes the team has gained alot exposure and achieved whatever the came to the United States for, inisisting that they have not regreted selecting the U.S as the final destination for their preparations.
In an exclusive interview with Charles Amponsah a.k.a Governor, host of Sportstime on U.S based Ghanaian Radio Station, African Beat Radio 106.5 FM, the coach expressed how the two-week stay in the U.S has exposed his players with respect to the kind of teams they have played and the facilities they enjoyed.
The team played five trial matches with colleges and universities, all of whom who had players ranging from age nineteen to twenty-two.
"Judging from the colleges and universities that we played against and the kind of opposition we had, I can confidently say that my girls have been exposed to the kind game they will be facing from teams in our group at the tournament" he said.
"Officials must be reccommended for arranging these kind of matches for us, almost all the teams that we played exhibited similar qualities, thus, fast play, skills and the strength, something that our group opponents are noted for especially Canada" he added.
In all five matches played, the team scored a total of 13 goals and conceded six, something that somehow impresses coach Allotey considering the age difference of their opponents and their status as solid female college and university teams.
Touching on player confidence and morale booster, the coach was quick enough to shower praise on Patricia Ofori, Belinda Kanda, Basilia Amoa-Tetteh, Priscilla Mensah, Alberta Annan among other former Black Queens players paid frequently visit to their hotel and match venues to encourage the girls and have one-on-one discussion with them on what to expect at the tourney and how to handle them.
They urged the girls to remain discipline, stay focus and adhere to instruction given them by the technical, since with that they reach their target.
"More than ten of the players told me how confident they had become after their interaction with the former players and how they wished the tourney was to start the next day" Allotey said.
On his opponents, coach Allotey claimed he had watched few clips of them plus reccommendation and advice given him by fellow Black Princess coach, Kuuku Dadzie of what to expect from most of the teams.
The Coach also showered praise his technical staff, management committee chairman, Nana Bayin Ayison, someone he describes as 'god father' of the girls as well as hardworking team administrator and laison officer, Mark Addo.
Avisit to the team's camp in Alabama revealed fired-up the team is ahead of the tournament.
The team and officials have enjoyed the best of reception from Ghanaian home and communities and have been exposed to most U.S soccer fans courtesy a section of Ghanaian Sports Journalist working with community Radio Stations in the U.S.A.
Among such journalist are, yours truly Charles Amponsah, formerly of Adom FM and Hot FM, Kojo King, formerly of Peace FM and media coordinator Nii Ayi Tetteh, also of Oman FM and NET2 T.V in Ghana.
The team departs the United States on Thursday September 2nd to prepare for the tourney.
The play Canada in their opener on September 6th before engaging Brazil and Rep. of Ireland on September 9th and 13th respectively.
Black Maidens team:
Margaret Otoo, Ayishetu Simpson, Sawubi Issah, Cynthia Boakye-Yiadom, Grace Adams, Linda Addai, Felicia Djabaah, Sherifatu Sumaila, Jennifer Cudjoe, Alice Danso, Mary Essiful, Beatrice Sesu, Ellen Coleman, Regina Antwi, Rita Okyere, Kesewa Comfort Antwi, Priscilla Okyere, Abdul Rashida Rahman, Rebecca Asante, Ivy Kolli
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