Goalkeeper Grace Banwaa earns maiden Black Queens call-up
Hasaacas Ladies’ goalkeeper Grace Buoduwaa Banwaa has been handed her first call-up to the senior women’s national team, the Black Queens, after being named in the 22-player squad for a training tour in Senegal.
Banwaa, a seasoned shot-stopper who has been a pillar of consistency for her club over the past three seasons, joins the Queens as one of three goalkeepers selected for the trip.
Her call-up comes on the back of an outstanding season in which she has kept an impressive 12 clean sheets in 15 matches, conceding just once.
Abambila, Asuako return
Also making headlines in the squad is Ernestina Abambila, who plies her trade in Hungary’s Női NB I. The midfielder last featured for the Black Queens in 2019 and will be eager to re-establish herself in the national setup.
Another notable returnee is defender Phillicity Asuako, who is back in the fold after taking time off to complete her training as a police recruit.
The trip to Senegal marks the second major assignment for Ghana head coach Kim Lars Björkegren since taking charge in February, and is a crucial step in shaping the team ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in July.
Scheduled for Apri April 1 - 9, the tour will see the Black Queens engage Senegal’s Teranga Lionesses in two friendly matches in Dakar.
It follows their recent trip to Morocco, where the Queens suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Atlas Lionesses and controversially abandoned a scheduled match against Rabat over disagreements regarding the playing surface.
Despite the loss, Coach Björkegren remained unfazed, using the experience to evaluate her squad.
The Senegal tour presents another vital opportunity for the Swedish tactician to fine-tune his squad and establish a core team for WAFCON.
Squad for Senegal tour:
Goalkeepers: Cynthia K. Findib, Grace B. Banwa and Kerrie McCarthy
Defenders: Anasthesia Achiaa, Justice Tweneboaa, Nina Norshie, Philicity Asuako, and Susan A. Duah
Midfielders:, Ernestina Abambila, Jennifer Cudjoe, Azumah Bugre, Jacqueline Owusu, Sherifatu Sumaila, Patience Peterson-Kundok, Josephine A.K Bonsu
Forwards: Princess Owusu, Gifty Assifuah, Princella Adubea, Doris Boaduwaa, Evelyn Badu and Portia Boakye.
