Ghana Team Page
Squad
Coach: Isaac Paha
Roster
Goalkeepers: Memunato Sulemana, Fati Mohammed, Gladys Enti
Defenders: Aminatu Ibrahim, Mavis Danso, Patricia Ofori, Olivia Amoako, Yaa Avoe, Hamdya Abass, Lydia Ankrah
Midfielders: Florence Okoe, Doreen Awuah, Belinda Kanda, Memuna Darku, Sheila Okai, Adjoa Bayor
Forwards: Anita Amankwa, Rumanatu Tahiru, Gloria Foriwa, Anita Amenuku, Safia Rahman
Scouting Report
Current world ranking: 47th (second in the Confederation of African Football)
Strengths: Ghana’s Black Queens are coming into the World Cup off one of their finest victories of their careers — a 1-0 defeat of West African rivals, Nigeria, in an Olympic qualifying match. It’s just the second time Ghana has beaten the Super Falcons. Though light on international play between World Cups, Paha’s squad will have more than half its players from the 2003 tournament for China. Ghana boasts two strong goalkeepers #8212; Gladys Enti and Memunatu Seleimana: who are used to seeing a lot of action during games. Speedy youngster Anita Amankwa will cause problems for teams. As the underdogs in this group, Ghana will play with nothing to lose.
Weaknesses: The attack-first style of African soccer can leave teams exposed in the back if turnovers happen. The lack of international play between World Cups has to be a concern for Paha as his team hasn’t had the opportunity to play against teams with different styles.
Player to watch: Adjoa Bayor, the team’s captain, is a former African women’s footballer of the year. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder may be petite in stature, but she plays big. This will be her third World Cup.
Prognosis: Though Ghana is steadily improving, its lack of international play will hurt them against teams like Norway, Canada and Australia. The group stage is as far as the West Africans will go.
ROAD TO THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
2007 qualification route: Ghana qualified for China 2007 by placing second in the 2006 Women’s African Football Championship’s final tournament.
Qualification record: 5 matches played, 4 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss
Goals for: 7 Goals against: 3
Top goal scorer in qualifying: Anita Amankwa (4)
Qualifying results:
Final tournament qualification - Second round (Single-elimination format)
July 23, 2006 – Ghana vs. Congo (First leg)
Aug. 6, 2006 – Ghana vs. Congo (Second leg)
**Note: After Congo failed to show up to the first leg match with Ghana, Ghana was declared winner of both legs. The Confederation of African Football had initially demanded that the match be rescheduled but later backed down.
Final tournament
Round robin (Group B) – in Nigeria
Oct. 29, 2006 – Mali 0, Ghana 1
Nov. 1, 2006 – Ghana 2, Cameroon 1
Nov. 4, 2006 – Congo DR 1, Ghana 3
Semifinals
Nov. 7, 2006 – Ghana 1, South Africa 0
Final
Nov. 11, 2006 – Nigeria 1, Ghana 0
Women’s World Cup 1st round matches (all times local)
Sept. 12 – Ghana vs. Australia in Hangzhou (Hangzhou Dragon Stadium) at 17:00
Sept. 15 – Canada vs. Ghana in Hangzhou (Hangzhou Dragon Stadium) at 17:00
Sept. 19 – Norway vs. Ghana in Shanghai (Hangkou Football Stadium) at 17:00
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP HISTORY
After years of playing in the shadows of West African rival Nigeria, Ghana’s Black Queens made their debut World Cup appearance at the 1999 tournament in the United States.
Ghana has steadily improved their results over the past two World Cups. In 1999, the Black Queens tied Australia 1-1, but finished at the bottom of their pool after a 7-0 defeat to China and a loss to Sweden. Four years later in the U.S., Ghana beat Australia 2-1 but dropped its other two matches to China and Sweden.
Number of previous Women’s World Cup appearances: 2
Hosted the Women’s World Cup: never
1991 – Did not qualify
1995 – Did not qualify
1999 – First round
2003 – First round
