2014 AWC: Queens prepare for Bukina Faso

Ghana's Black Queens, the senior female national team, have stepped up their preparation towards their 2014 African Women’s Championship (AWC) qualifier, which kicks off next week.

The Queens are scheduled to travel to Burkina Faso  to play the first leg of the first round qualifiers on February 15.

The Queens, who have been in camp for the past month, have stepped up their preparation at a training camp in Tamale to acclimatise to the weather, which is similar to that of Ouagadougou, where the match will be played.

Coach Yussif Basigi, the acting head coach of the Queens told the Daily Graphic the team were gradually taking shape and that they wouldl be ready for the qualifiers next week.

“We will train in Tamale for some days and play some matches under floodlights as we have been informed that the game in Ouagadoudou will be played under floodlights.”

“So far as building the team is concerned, I can say that we are making a steady progress but we can better assess that progress after the first competitive game,” coach Basigi, who was the assistant coach to Kuuku Dadzie two years ago, indicated.

He also emphasised the need for the team to qualify for this year’s AWC as that would serve as the qualifiers for the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada.

“We missed out on the 2012 AWC and that was painful but we can not afford to lose out again this year as it is a World Cup qualifying year. We will do all we can to qualify for the tournament ,” he assured.