Ampem Darkoa Ladies target Champions League glory

Ampem Darkoa Ladies Head Coach, Nana Joe Adarkwa, says the players have their sights firmly set on the coveted CAF Women's Champions League trophy, following their triumphant WAFU Zone B Cup campaign in Nigeria, and have thus shifted gear to focus on the upcoming continental championship in Cote d’Ivoire this November.

On their return from Nigeria last Saturday, the squad wasted no time and immediately engaged in a recovery training session at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence at Prampram, and will meet with the leadership of the Ghana Football Association to strategise for their Champions League campaign.

Their journey to the WAFU Zone B Cup glory culminated in a thrilling 1-0 victory over Delta Queens of Nigeria in the final at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium last Thursday, and secured the sole slot from the zone for the continental championship.

Coach Adarkwa told the Graphic Sports that the Ghanaian champions were committed to the ultimate goal in Cote d'Ivoire, where they aim to make up for the loss of the title two years ago by their local rivals, Hasaacas Ladies, who were beaten 2-1 by South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns.

 Eye on the prize

He said the immediate focus of the team was to regain their strength and keep their eyes on the ultimate prize, which is winning the November 5 – 19 competition in Cote d’Ivoire.

"We are fully aware that each participating team in the competition is a champion in their own right, so we must set aside our WAFU Cup success and focus solely on the Champions League," Coach Adarkwa said.

“The players have also been warned about the upcoming challenge and they are all determined to make Ghanaians proud, so work starts now.”

In their journey to the final, free-scoring Ampem Darkoa Ladies registered some remarkable victories against Amis Du Monde (4-2), Athletico Abidjan (3-1) and Sam Nelly FC (6-1) in the penultimate round, and needed a first half goal by Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah to win the sub-regional competition to clinch a spot in the third African Women's Champions League.

Reflecting on their stellar performance in Nigeria, the coach highlighted the determination of the entire team to realise their Champions League dream and also to make amends for their loss in the same competition last year.

“Before we went to Nigeria I said that we learnt a lot from our previous participation in the competition so this time round, we will not disappoint Ghanaians. Also, I applaud my players because they paid attention to every instruction and lived up to expectation,” he added.

Dream on course

Midfielder Linda Owusu Ansah echoed her coach's sentiments by expressing their readiness to bring another trophy home to Ghana in November.

She acknowledged the stiff competition they would face from other zonal champions but remained confident in their ability to secure victory in Cote d'Ivoire.

The triumphant team received to a warm welcome at the Kotoka International Airport last Saturday, with the President of the GFA, Kurt Edwin Simon Okraku; GFA General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo; Dr Gifty Oware-Mensah, owner of Berry Ladies FC; and Ama Brobbey Williams, Head of Women's Football Development at the FA, among those present to celebrate their success.