On Saturday August 2, 2003 , about 3000 Ghanaians and fans of Kojo Antwi gathered at Newark Symphony Hall to launch One-Man Supporter’s cause. “Mr. Music Man” Kojo Antwi helped Mr. Abraham Boakye (One Man Supporter) to hold the Black Queens Supporters uniform. The scene was cheered by the large crowd who shouted, ‘One man, One man, One man”. One Man Supporter’s cause is to seek sponsorship to help him and his supporters club to come to the US to cheer the Black Queens of Ghana. As the shouting dies down, Kojo Antwi started singing one of his latest track on the DENSU - CD “Amirika” to grace the occasion.
Kofi Bawuah, president of Universal Shipping, Import and Export, made a journey to several US cities with Mr. Boakye (One Man Supporter) to appeal for funds for the supporters. In a statement made to the crowd, Mr. Kofi Bawuah urged “Ghanaians need to support a good cause”. He had devoted time and money in an effort to help this organization by involving all the African supermarkets in the United States to which he provides goods to be sponsors of this organization with their trip to the US. Sponsorship included accommodation, food and transportation to-and- from soccer venues.
Mr. Boakye a.k.a “one man supporter” who came to the United States to solicit funds for the supporters would be coming from Ghana, to cheer up our gallant (National Women Soccer Team, the Black Queens) which has qualified for the FIFA WOMEN WORLD CUP TOURNMENT to be held in U.S.A. in September. The Black Queens of Ghana arrived in the United States on Thursday August 7, 2003 and were met at the JFK Airport (New York) by Mr. Boakye, Kofi Bawuah, Papa Owusu (Big Man Production), Solomon Krow of AfricanSpice.com with Amandla Newspaper which was available to cover the event.
The Black Queens of Ghana are known as the other power of women’s football in Africa behind Nigeria. And, while they haven’t had nearly the success of the Super Falcons, Ghana has participated in every African Women’s Championship and will be making their second FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance in the U.S. this September.
They will be buoyed in their endeavour by becoming the first African team to beat Nigeria in a competitive event, 1-0 in a group match of the African Women’s Championship Nigeria 2002. Despite the fact that they fell to the Falcons 2-0 in the final match, the victory over their rivals serves as the culmination of a slow improvement process Ghana has made over the past decade.
The results of their rivalry against Nigeria go a long way to charting Ghana’s development. In 1991 and 1995, Nigeria beat them 7-2 and 5-0 on aggregate respectively. With the first African Women’s Championship finals in 1998, Ghana won their group easily, went to the finals, and then only lost to Nigeria 2-0. In 2000, the Black Queens served notice to the continent that they were improving quickly, as they took a point from the vaunted Falcons. This achievement was muted however when Ghana lost in the semi-finals to South Africa, ultimately finishing third. The spot in the 1998 championship match placed the West Africans in USA ‘99. And, though they only managed a single goal in the finals, that was enough to give them a draw against Australia and a FIFA Women’s World Cup point, a significant achievement that the Ghanaians would dwell on four years later.
They are once again being led by captain Alberta Sackey, who was named the African Women’s Footballer of the Year in April. Such was her dominance that she was the only woman even nominated for the award. The midfielder scored four goals in the AWC, including the strike that beat Nigeria.
However, it was goalkeeper Memunatu Sulemana who was named the player of the first Nigeria match after a string of outstanding saves. She is generally regarded as the top net-minder in Africa and will be key to keeping the Black Queens alive in matches in China. At the other end of the pitch, Nana Amma Gyamfuah is an experienced and wily scorer. Also, Elizabeth Baidu is a young player that many are touting.
Despite persistent disorder in the Ghana Football Association, the Black Queens are hoping that coach Oko Aryee can shield them along the way to USA 2003. If their preparations and organization holds up, then breaking Nigeria’s air of invincibility might have given them the confidence they need to surprise when September rolls around.
