On March 28, 2022, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) announced that 32 players had been invited to the Black Queens, Ghana’s senior women’s national football team, to begin preparations for upcoming friendly matches in Morocco. The players were instructed to report to the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence (GSCE) in Prampram on Monday, March 28, 2022, at 4:00 PM to commence training under coach Nora Häuptle. These friendlies were seen as a critical opportunity to fine-tune the team’s tactics and assess players ahead of future competitive fixtures, including potential qualifiers for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Diverse Talent Pool from Ghana’s Women’s Premier League
The selected squad showcased a broad representation of talent from Ghana’s Women’s Premier League, highlighting the depth and quality within the domestic game. The list included players from prominent clubs such as Hasaacas Ladies, Ampem Darkoa Ladies, Berry Ladies, Police Ladies, and LadyStrikers. Notable inclusions were Cynthia Findib Konlan (Pearl Pia Ladies), Fafali Dumehasi (Police Ladies), Doris Boaduwaa (Hasaacas Ladies), and Grace Acheampong (Ampem Darkoa Ladies), all of whom have been key figures in their respective teams. The call-up also featured emerging talents like Benita Peprah (Fabulous Ladies) and Ernestina Ayissie (Soccer Intellectuals Ladies), signaling a blend of experience and youth.
Full List of Invited Players
- Cynthia Findib Konlan – Pearl Pia Ladies
- Kerrie McCarthy – Kumasi Sports Academy
- Fafali Dumehasi – Police Ladies
- Evelyn Yeboah – Army Ladies
- Safiatu Salifu – Ampem Darkoa Ladies
- Gladys Anfobea – LadyStrikers
- Ellen Coleman – LadyStrikers
- Martha Appiah – Berry Ladies
- Monica Addai – Berry Ladies
- Louisa Aniwaa – Police Ladies
- Azumah Bugre – Hasaacas Ladies
- Veronica Appiah – Hasaacas Ladies
- Janet Egyir – Hasaacas Ladies
- Blessing Agbomadzi – Hasaacas Ladies
- Doris Boaduwaa – Hasaacas Ladies
- Grace Acheampong – Ampem Darkoa Ladies
- Elizabeth Owusu – Ampem Darkoa Ladies
- Justice Tweneboa – Ampem Darkoa Ladies
- Vivian A. Kunadu – Thunder Queens
- Suzzy Dede Teye – LadyStrikers
- Patience Adjetey – Army Ladies
- Gifty Abena Julius – Faith Ladies
- Lillian Goli – Faith Ladies
- Philomena Abaka – Berry Ladies
- Henritta Annie – Police Ladies
- Grace Animah – Police Ladies
- Naomi Animah – Kumasi Sports Academy
- Linda Amoako – Soccer Intellectuals Ladies
- Ernestina Ayissie – Soccer Intellectuals Ladies
- Gnabekan N-Nyayimaya – Army Ladies
- Abigail Sakyiwaa – Supreme Ladies
- Benita Peprah – Fabulous Ladies
Building Momentum Under New Leadership
The Morocco friendlies were part of Nora Häuptle’s strategy to rebuild the Black Queens after a challenging period, including their failure to qualify for the 2022 WAFCON. The inclusion of 32 players allowed the technical team to evaluate a wide range of talent, with clubs like Hasaacas Ladies (five players) and Ampem Darkoa Ladies (three players) contributing significantly to the squad. The GFA aimed to use these matches to enhance team cohesion and test new formations, with players like Doris Boaduwaa, a standout performer in the Women’s Premier League, expected to bring dynamism to the attack.
Significance of the Morocco Friendlies
The trip to Morocco offered the Black Queens a chance to face strong opposition, as Morocco’s women’s team had been making strides, including hosting the 2022 WAFCON. The friendlies were crucial for Ghana to regain momentum and prepare for upcoming competitive challenges, such as the 2024 WAFCON qualifiers. The diverse squad, featuring goalkeepers like Fafali Dumehasi, defenders like Janet Egyir, and forwards like Benita Peprah, reflected the team’s balanced approach to blending defensive solidity with attacking flair.
Looking Ahead
The Black Queens’ camp at the GSCE marked the start of an intensive preparation phase, with the technical team focusing on fitness, tactics, and team bonding. The Morocco friendlies were a stepping stone toward restoring Ghana’s reputation as a powerhouse in African women’s football, having won the WAFCON in 1998 and reached the final multiple times. The performances of the invited players would likely influence selections for future competitive matches, with the GFA and Häuptle aiming to build a squad capable of challenging for continental honors.
