Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ghanaian Times
Published on 2024-03-01 08:38:00
The Head Coach of the senior women’s national team, the Black Queens, Nora Hauptle, has commended the team’s resilience despite their loss to Zambia in the second leg of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifier. The Black Queens suffered a 4-3 aggregate defeat against the Copper Queens after being held to a 3-3 draw in Ndola, following a 1-0 loss in Accra in the first leg.
Coach Hauptle’s team entered the game with determination to secure qualification against the Zambians. However, the home team took an early lead through skipper Barbara Banda, only for Gifty Assifuah to equalize 11 minutes later. Doris Boaduwaa then scored a sublime goal to give Ghana a 2-1 lead, but Kabange Mupopo leveled the score for Zambia. Substitute Azumah Bugre put Ghana ahead with a long strike, but they were reduced to 10 players after Jennifer Cudjoe received a second yellow card.
In the 97th minute, Banda scored for Zambia, ending the Black Queens’ hopes of making their first Olympic appearance. Despite the defeat, Coach Hauptle praised the team for their fighting spirit and performance, emphasizing the positives they can take from the match. She acknowledged that there were areas needing improvement but expressed confidence in the young and talented squad’s potential.
Looking ahead, Coach Hauptle is now focusing on the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) scheduled to take place in Morocco later in the year. She believes that the team’s experience in high-profile games like the Olympic qualifier will help them grow and perform better in future competitions.
Speaking to the media after the game, Coach Hauptle emphasized the need for the team to learn from their mistakes and continue working hard to improve. She highlighted the players’ fantastic potential and hunger for success, stating that her role as coach was to guide and support them in their development.
With the disappointment of the Olympic qualifier behind them, the Black Queens are now preparing for the upcoming WAFCON tournament with a renewed focus and determination to succeed. Coach Hauptle’s positive outlook and belief in the team’s abilities are sure to motivate the players as they strive for success in future competitions.
In conclusion, despite the setback against Zambia, the Black Queens can take pride in their performance and use it as a learning experience to become stronger and more competitive in the future. Coach Hauptle’s guidance and support will be crucial in helping the team reach their full potential and achieve success in upcoming tournaments.
Read the original article on Ghanaian Times
