Cohesion key for Queens’

Black Queens coach, Yussif Basigi, says building a cohesive team is key to the team's chances at this year's Africa Women's Championship (AWC) to be held in Namibia in October.

The Queens, Ghana's senior female football team, have begun camping in preparation for the  tournament which they seek to win for the first time.

Coach Basigi has called up 25 players from the National Women's League (NWL) and he believes the players have what it takes to push for their maiden title and a slot for next year's FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.

"There is no doubt that the players selected have what it takes to compete on such a big stage as the AWC. What is really needed is their cohesion. Gradually, we are working on that as the individual skills, talent and experience are there and working on the team cohesion will complete the  build up," Coach Basigi told the Graphic Sports.

He said, having played together for almost a year for the qualifiers, the telepathy among the players was emerging quickly and believed keeping them together from now till October, when the competition takes place, would bring the desired results.

The coach who was an assistant two years ago when the Queens failed to qualify for the AWC, said he had no plans of bringing on any foreign-based players to join the team, even though he had an eye on two US-based players.

"With the team as it is presently, there will be no need to try out new players, unless someone gets injured during this preparation period. Otherwise, the players are good enough. Also, we don't have the luxury of time to check out new players, he stressed.