They were supposed to be in the “Group of Death”. Indeed they were, but conquered death. As their prize, they will be representing Africa at the next Women’s World Cup in China.
Never mind thy succumbed 0-2 to the Super Falcons of Nigeria in the grand finale of the Africa Women’s championship with lethal aplomb. The Black Queens did more than enough during the fourteen days of the championship to deepen their credentials as one of Africa’s fiercest soccer forces and also to remind the rest of the continent that whoever writes off Ghana does so as one of Africa’s fiercest soccer forces and also to remind the rest of the continent that whoever writes off Ghana does so at their own peril.
Of course the Black Queens had earlier defeated the Nigerians at the Group stage to become the first side in Africa to achieve that feat. It was a sharp reminder to the Nigerians at the Group stage to become the first side in Africa to achieve that feat.
It was a sharp reminder to the Nigerians that gone are the days when they could trample on the Queens with ludicrous scorelines as 7-0 as 7-0 and 5-0. The Queens have come a long way and deserve every credit for their resilience and discipline.
It was just right that captain Alberta Sackey and her Queens paid tribute to their hardworking but unassuming coach Oko Aryee. The man was vilified before the tournament for picking half-baked players and ignoring those who could bring honour to the nation.
Many would not accept his explanation. He vowed to let his work and results do the talking. Today, he stands vindicated. I only hope his assailants would eat humble pie and congratulate him for making us all proud.
The Queens have every right to celebrate in style and hope they would be rewarded by the FA in a manner truly befitting Queens. The real journey, however, has only begun. The Africa championship is only a means to an end- the World Cup. Welcome back home our beautiful Queens. We’re so proud of you.
