Queens promise Cameroun trouble in Saturday’s Olympic qualifier

Ghana's Black Queens, the senior national female football team, say Cameroun are in trouble as they host them in the second leg of their Olympic qualifier in Accra on Saturday.

Two weeks ago, the Queens held the Indomitable Lionesses, fresh from their 2015 Women’s World Cup (WWC) exploit in Canada, to a 1-1 draw and a win on Saturday will see the Ghanaians progressing to the final round of the qualifiers.

Ahead of the match, Black Queens coach, Yussif Basigi says his charges will go all out against their guests as well as cover every blade of grass on the pitch in a bid to also defend.

“The draw in Yaounde two weeks ago is an advantage. Playing at home in the second leg is also an added advantage and we will make use of both on Saturday. It’s a golden opportunity we don’t want slip by,” Coach Basigi told the Graphic Sports.

He hinted that all his charges were fit to go and was mapping a strategy that would see them attack more but also have their focus on their defence.

“No doubt, the Camerounians are a good side and they always use their physical strength to their advantage. After playing them on several occasions, we have found the antidote to that physical play and on Saturday, they will have a taste of their own bitter pill.”

According to Coach Basigi, four years ago, the Camerounians were in a similar position and took advantage to qualify for the London 2012 Games, so the Queens have no excuse not to deliver this time around.

“Four years ago, they held us to a 1-1 draw in Accra in the first leg and beat us 1-0 in the return leg to qualify for the London Olympics. We also have a similar opportunity and we will fully utilise it to our advantage. We’ve never been to the Olympics and this will be our time to also go to Brazil 2016.”

A win for the Queens will see them progress to the final stage where they will play neighbours, Cote d’Ivoire in the final round of the qualifiers.

Cote d’Ivoire, who also played in this year’s WWC, had a walkover Zimbabwe in the third round of qualifiers.