Black Queens coach eyes team’s revival
New Black Queens Head Coach, Kim Lars Björkegren, says he will focus on building a formidable side to return to the top of African football soon.
The Black Queens, once a formidable side on the continent and second to the Super Falcons of Nigeria in terms of ranking, have lost that place, and currently trailing behind the likes of Cameroun, South Africa, Zambia, Morocco and others.
But this is what the Swedish tactician is hoping to overturn and restore the Black Queens to their enviable position with his appointment.
At his unveiling last Friday at the Secretariat of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Coach Lars Björkegren said, “From afar, I see the potential here in Ghana to be huge, and I want the team to improve. From what I have seen right now in the first team, there is a good mix between the young and the experienced legs, which looks great for the future of the team.”
According to the tactician with 18 years’ experience, he has inherited a team that was ready to fight and win most of their games, and with a huge potential to become the best or among the best on the continent.
Hopefully, with the help of all, including players believing in themselves and their abilities, the Black Queens will gain a better ranking than their current FIFA world ranking of 66th and fifth CAF ranking in the not-too-distant future.
Coach Lars’ first assignment will be a Black Queens clash with the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco in an international friendly on Friday at the Pere Jego Stadium in Casablanca.
The 10-day tour of Morocco, which is part of the February FIFA window, serves as a crucial preparation for the team ahead of the upcoming Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament in July.
“For this game, I want the players to believe in themselves, be a little bit more aggressive both with and without the ball, press a little bit harder, and attack quicker while keeping Ghana’s football DNA, which is playing beautiful football. I will mix it to keep the good things that have been done so far but also add some new things that I think can help the team in the future.”
Björkegren has previously coached in Sweden, China, and the United States of America, and won the Swedish Damallsvenskan with Linköpings FC and the Cyprus Women’s League with Apollon Ladies.
Meanwhile, he has named his first squad of 23 players who left Accra on Sunday for the Morocco tour.
They include goalkeepers: Cynthia Fiindib Konlan, Kerrie McCarthy, and Safiatu Salifu.
Defenders: Anasthesia Achiaa, Justice Tweneboaa, Adama Alhassan, Sherifatu Sumaila, Susan A. Duah, Portia Boakye, Comfort Yeboah, and Nina Norshie.
Midfielders: Jennifer Cudjoe, Grace Asantewaa, Azumah Bugre, Jacqueline Owusu, Evelyn Badu, and Stella Nyamekye.
Strikers: Doris Boaduwaa, Gifty Assifuah, Mary Amponsaho, Princess D. Marfo, Josephine A. K. Bonsu, and Princella Adubea.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
