Queens willing to die

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

Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, Oct 31, GNA 96 Ghana's Black Queens left their base in Oghara for Warri ahead of their decider with the Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon with the belief that the three points at stake was theirs for the taken.

The Ghanaians won their first game 1-0 against Mali at Oghara last Sunday and hope luck will shine on them when they face the Central Africans at Ugheli on Wednesday.

The game is seen as one fit to pass as a final duel and is capable of handing both teams equal chances.

Though the Queens are two points richer than the Lioness, indications are that the winner of the tie, which is the second of both teams in the competition can either win the championship. Both teams are strong contenders for the title that the Nigerians have won four times and if meetings between the two countries are anything to go by, then the game will be an uncompromising one. The Cameroonians seem the favourites by bookmakers after they defeated the Queens at the semi final stage of the last competition in South Africa.

Another win for the Queens will mean qualification into the semi final stage of the championship and the mood in camp is one that indicates that the Ghanaians are willing to die on the field to grab the maximum points.

Coach Isaac Paha and his charges are well aware of the challenges they face in the physical Lioness whose strength and fitness supersedes any team seen in the tourney so far.

For the Queens, the only sure way to victory will be avoiding contacts with their opponents and relying on simple play, whilst taking their chances to snatch the much needed victory.

The Central Africans who drew one all with the Democratic Republic of Congo in their Group B opener and well understand what a defeat will do to their campaign are expected to employ various tactics in search of victory. The battle lines are drawn for what many consider to be the match to look out for and it is obvious that the chances are split.

Goal scoring opportunities will no doubt be scanty and when skipper Adjoa Bayor and her colleagues get onto the field, it will be crucial that the Florence Adutwumwaa and sensational Anita Amankwaa and the rests keep their cool in front of goal to keep going.

The defence built around Mavis Danso might have known by now that every mistake will be costly especially with the often jittery goalkeeper, Gladys Enti whose timing and aerial ability is sometimes suspicious in the posts, but with dedication and the will to achieve success, the Queens are surely going to ride over their opponents.