Accra, Oct 11, GNA - Fred Crenstil, Chairman of the Ghana's Black Queens Management Board says the team's preparation for the upcoming African Women Championship (AWC) will yield results when the tourney commences in Nigeria on Saturday October, 28.

The Queens are on tour in the United States of America (USA) and the Chairman is convinced the team has learnt useful lessons that will profit their quest to wrestle power from the hosts.

He told GNA Sports from the team's base in San Francisco, California that "the tour has exposed the players to the exact challenge to expect in Nigeria and I am more than convinced it's been worth it."

The team, rated second best on the continent, is touring without seven members, who were refused visas by the American Embassy 96 something that many argue should have prevented the Queens from embarking on the trip.

But Crenstil told the GNA Sports, 93much as we will have loved to have all the players together, it was crucial to get this exposure in spite of the circumstances.=94

The team lost its first trial match 0-1 to Sacramento Storm and drew one all with their counterparts from the University of California on Tuesday.

The Queens have four more games billed against club sides between now and their arrival in Ghana on October 22 and the Chairman says 93we may have a fifth game against Mexico before the tourney.=94 He described the Californian weather as perfect for the team's preparation towards the biannual fiesta.

The number of players in camp has soared to 18 after utility star Elizabeth Baidoo, Mavis Danso, Patricia Ofori and Fati Mohammed joined from their base in Chicago.

The quartet plies their trade with the Robert Morris club based in Chicago.

Still expected to join the team is skipper Adjoa Bayor, whose arrival has been tied to October 18 from her base in China, where she plays her professional career.

Crenstil is buoyant about the chances of the team in the tournament billed for the Delta State.