Yussif Basigi, the head coach of the Black Princesses, expressed confidence and calmness ahead of their opening game against Ethiopia at the African Games.
Basigi emphasized that his team is not under pressure, drawing from their successful campaign at the WAFU tournament last year, which they hosted and won.
“I am not under pressure because last year we hosted WAFU and we won it so we know what it takes to play at home” Basigi said.
“We are hosting the All-African Games and we are not under pressure”.
“I think we have got enough preparations. We have been active since we played the last qualifier against Senegal. We went to Clairefontaine in France for a week training and went back to camp when we got back to Ghana”.
“For challenges, they will come no matter what but every challenge that comes my way, I have to manage. I have to manage any situation we have at hand if not, it will trickle down to the playing body. I have to manage every challenge both on and off the field”.
“I know the Ethiopia team and I have played their senior side during my time as he head coach of the Black Queens so I have a fair idea of how they play”
“This is a country that hold on to the game very well due to the temperature in their country. We will not underrate any opponent going into this tournament as they are equally good teams”.
“Every country will like to host and win the competition and we are no exception. Once we are here, we will take advantage of being at home but that does not guarantee your automatic victory and so we have to prepare well”
“I have won it as a coach with the Queens in Congo so I know what it takes”
“We have only one injury concern but we have twenty players carefully selected so there is a plan B in place and we will not feel so much of the absence of the player and she can come in as and when we progress in the competition” Basigi added.
The Black Princesses will kick off their campaign against Ethiopia at 8pm on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
