Queens star to miss African Cup

Former Black Queens captain, Florence Okoe, is relishing the chance of  returning to action for both club and country after a successful knee surgery.

Though she is not expected to return to action until after nine months, which rules her out of national team duty for the 2016 African Women's Championship (AWC) in Cameroun in November, Okoe is optimistic that she would regain her place in the national team once she makes full recovery

Okoe, and two other national team players, Leticia Zipki and Deborah Dussey, returned from South Africa earlier this week after they all underwent surgeries on injured knees.

Okoe, 32, who also plays for the Police Ladies team, had two surgeries on both knees  after aggravating an injury she  sustained  in 2013, which cost her a place in the Queens' team to the 2014 African Women's Championship in Nambia.

"I'm happy that the surgery was successful. Initially, I was scared but now, I think it's been a career-saving effort and I can't thank God Almighty and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) enough. Now, I look forward to returning to action but that will take some time.

" The doctor during the review after the surgery said I should be dropping the clutches in four weeks and begin jogging in six weeks. However, it will take about six full months to return to normal training," Okoe, a police woman, told the Graphic Sports.

"I'm grateful that I'd be able to play again because not everyone gets lucky as I have. Two major surgeries on both knees definitely not easy, but I'm determined to work hard to regain my former form once I'm declared fit to play again. 

"Football is my passion and I'd really love to play again for both club and country," the midfielder who made her debut for the Queens in 2002, told the Graphic Sports.