Soccer News of Friday, 7 November 2003

Source: Mirror

Queens Play Congo

Ghana's Black Queens go into battle against their DR Congo counterparts tomorrow with a huge advantage to advance. This stems from the 2-0 victory registered by the Ghanaians in the first leg of their tight Olympic Games qualifier in Kumasi almost a fortnight ago.

However, the Queens will be the first to attest to the tough nature of the opposition confronting them in tomorrow's game after being subjected to an uneasy exercise in the first leg, even at their own backyard.

Playing before a partisan local crowd, the Queens, in spite of their pedigree in the women's game, even at the world level, sweated for 66 minutes before breaking the deadlock through Gloria Foriwaa. ] And knowing too well that the single goal cannot guarantee their qualification, nimble-footed Adwoa Bayor who was the inspirer for the day dug deep into her rich experience to conjure another goal on the stroke of full time to secure a firm cushioning.

Even then Coach Oko Aryee did not take chances but ensured that US-based ace defender, Elizabeth Baidu, flew down to strengthen the team for tomorrow's encounter. This is apparently to cut out the Congolese livewire, Zenzo, who was a mouthful for the Queen’s defence in the Kumasi match.

Much in the same way, Baidu can be relied upon to support the Queens attack with her intermittent surges upfront. Aside Baidu, coach Aryee still has some attacking options in Adwoa Bayor, Mavis Djanmah, Gloria Foriwaa, Akua Anokyewaa and Yaa Avoe to choose from.

And with the necessary supplies flowing as usual from midfield gem, Florence Okoe, with support from Mavis Danso and Lydia Ankrah, the Queens will surely surmount the Congolese challenge.