Basigi admits Queens must be up to task

Black Queens coach Yusif Basigi admits his team must work extra hard when they face Cameroon next month.

The Ghana women’s team are set to return to camp on Monday, June 29, to begin preparations for the penultimate round of qualifiers to the Rio 2016 Olympics Games against Les Lionnes of Cameroon.

Cameroon just returned from an impressive Fifa Women’s World Cup outing – where they emerged Africa’s best performers though they exited the championship at the round of 16 stage.

Basigi tells supersport.com of getting to monitor Cameroon’s games and admits the team has significantly improved.

“I have watched Cameroon’s matches at the World Cup and to be honest, this time they have improved tremendously,” he said.

”Knowing this, we have to prepare extra well. We have beaten them in the past but we must work harder to eliminate them now.

”We should be resuming camping next week Monday. The girls are active due to the ongoing Women’s League and I have also spoken to them to double up their training at their various clubs because when we resume it [training] is going to be intense,” he added.

Coach Basigi has named 22 girls to report to the national camp, the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, ahead of the 1st leg clash set for July 18 at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde. Kickoff is set for 2:30pm GMT (5:30pm CAT).

Ghana hosts the return encounter on August 2 with the winner over two legs advancing to face either Ivory Coast or Zimbabwe in the final qualifying round for a slot to the Rio 2016 football competition.

Invited players

Fafali Dumehasi, Jane Ayieyam, Faiza Ibrahim,Diana Ankobeah,. Patricia Mantey, Rosemary Ampem, Anita Owiredu, Portia Boakye, Agnes Aduako, Victoria Adjei, Janet Egyir, Juliet Acheampong, Cynthia Adobea, Mercy Myles, Grace Asare, Grace Adams, Hillia Kobblah, Margaret Otoo, Edem Atovor, Mary Essiful, Elizabeth Addo, Safia A-Rahman