One of the finest goal stoppers of the female senior national soccer team, the
Black Queens, Mamunatu Abiba Sulemana has been sidelined lately for no apparent
reason “Where are they”? understands .
To the burly goalie, she is in the best of shapes to maintain her position as the
national team’s number one, but the door has been shut on her lately.
She currently plays consistently with her male counterparts for Monday and
Thursday Stars- a select side comprising former national and premier players.”I
decided to join the male colleagues because the league is on recess, and playing
with them toughens me,” she said.
Abiba told Charles Osei Asibey , Happy FM morning host that the decision of the
team’s technical handlers to close the door on her notwithstanding, she is
preparing feverishly; training with the Ali Jaraah goalkeepers’ academy daily to
keep her in shape, so that she would be able to respond to the national call
whenever giving the second chance.
“ I believe I am peerless considering the fact that I didn’t learn the goalkeeping
profession, I see it as a gift, I used to operate from the flanks as a player. I
had the chance to keep the post once and that was the beginning of my success
story,” she added.
According to the World’s second best pair of hands, age has not taken a toll on her
as perceived by many in the sporting fraternity admitting, “Frankly, I am just 31
years, and as you know, goalkeepers stay longer on the pitch than players and there
are even players who are older than I am currently in the team.”
She expressed the worry that despite her exploits and contribution to the Queens,
the sporting fraternity has kept mute on her absence from the team for some time
now.
Abiba pointed out that she will avail herself to serve the nation whenever her
services his needed.
