Queens to play for pride

(By Veronica Commey, GNA Special Correspondent in Nigeria, courtesy Ministry of Education, Science and Sports)

Ovwien, Delta State, Nov 3, GNA - Ghana's Black Queens go into action against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday at the on-going African Women's Championship in a game they will be playing for pride.

After booking their qualification into the semi final stage of the competition, the Queens, touted among the favourites to win the competition, will be hoping to record another victory to enable them finish ahead of the Group with nine points.

Already speculations are rife that coach Isaac Paha may give some of the players like Patricia Ofori, Lydia Ankrah and Gloria Oforiwaa among others who are yet to see action the opportunity to play. Encounters between the two teams are often cagy and tomorrow's duel slated for the Ughelli Stadium is not expected to be any different. With their record in the competition so far and the crowd behind them, the Queens will surely start as the favourites against the Congolese who are placed at the bottom of the table with only a point. The Ghanaians have won their two previous games in their Group the hard way and if what is seen of the Congolese so far is anything to go by, then one can be convinced that they will come fighting for all the maximum points with the hope that luck smiles on them should Mali on three points and Cameroon on one point draw in their game scheduled for Oghara tomorrow.

If speculations about changing the Queens' line up is anything to go by, then Oforiwaa may be replacing sensational Anita Amankwaa upfront.

The 17-year old Amankwaa grabbed a brace against the Indomitable Lionesses last Wednesday and has featured in the two group games so far. Ankrah and Ofori are both central defenders and their introduction will mean resting Aminatu Ibrahim who is on yellow card and Olivia Amoako who is in fine form.

The battle lines are drawn and the Ghanaians are already looking beyond Congo, knowing tomorrow's outcome will not affect their chances in any way.

The team will know by close of today who they are meeting next in the competition after the South African and Nigeria's last group game at Oleh Stadium later today.

What remains unknown is whether coach Paha will try Gladys Quansah in posts over experienced Gladys Enti. Kick off time is 3pm on Saturday. 03 Nov. 06