Seven players from Ghana’s female junior national teams have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus disease just days after camping started, throwing their preparation into total disarray.

Players of the women’s national U17 and U20 team, the Black Maidens and Black Princesses respectively, were revealed to have contracted the disease after general tests were carried out on the squad of the two teams.

According to reports in the local media, the tests by medical officials showed that the seven players from the two teams had contracted the virus which is highly contagious.

The GFA will now work with the Ghana Health Service officials to make a final determination on whether the camp should be completely called off following the revelation.

This is also likely to further delay the start of football in the country as this could be seen as an example of how the disease could spread if football in the local leagues is made to start.

The cases of coronavirus in the team have been revealed even though the two teams including all players and officials, had been given comprehensive education and training just last week on how to avoid the disease.



The tests were carried out when the training camp of the players opened in Cape Coast late last week as the two teams had gathered to start their preparations for upcoming continental qualifiers.

The report is said to have been presented to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) who must now decide on the next steps to be taken in the camp to prevent the further spread of the disease.

But the seven players who have contracted the disease must now be taken to a hospital in Cape Coast to start treatment to avoid it getting serious and complicating their health.

Others players and officials of the team who have not tested positive will be made to undergo new tests to determine if they are showing any signs of the disease despite undergoing the first test last week.

They must now also undergo a two-week quarantine as it takes 14 days for the symptoms of coronavirus to manifest.

Players, technical team members and officials of the Black Maidens (Women, U-17) and Black Princesses (Women, U-20) underwent the mandatory COVID-19 test in line with the laid down protocols from FIFA and CAF for the resumption of football.



The GFA will now work with the Ghana Health Service officials to make a final determination on whether the camp should be called off following the revelation.

The two teams were made to start training after the President of the country Nana Akufo Addo gave them a special dispensation because their qualifiers were looming.

With the revelation of the coronavirus situation in camp government could be forced to change its decision to avoid things going out of control and the authorities being blamed for it.

CAF on Sunday postponed matches of the qualifiers for the women’s junior national teams across Africa because several countries had not opened their borders to enable teams to travel.

This could pile the pressure on the GFA to also close the camps for the two national teams with uncertainties surrounding the exact dates the matches would be played.

The Black Princesses are preparing to play Guinea Bissau in a 2021 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier.

The Black Maidens who smashed Liberia 10-0 in a two-legged World Cup qualifier in March have a date against rivals Nigeria in October, 2020.






culled from Ghanasoccernet

The post Breaking: Seven Black Maidens and Black Princesses players test positive for coronavirus first appeared on Sahara Football.

Coaches and Captains of the Black Maidens (Female U-17) and Black Princesses (Female U-20) have reacted to the ease of restrictions on their activities by Ghana President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The President, on Sunday, July 26, 2020 announced that the two national teams can resume camping to prepare for their respective assignments.

The Black Maidens have a FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria while the Princesses prepare to take on Guinea-Bissau in a 2021 FIFA U-20 World Cup qualifier in September.

The GFA Communications team has been speaking exclusively to the two Head Coaches and Captains for their reaction to the news:

Yusif Basigi – Head Coach, Black Princesses

I am elated that finally the President, His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo has eased the restrictions for us to begin camping. During the lockdown, I engaged the players individually to monitor their training via video recordings just to make sure their endurance level is not compromised. Now that we are to resume camping, I believe at least those exercises will help boost the teamwork quickly.

Justice Ama Tweneboah – Captain, Black Princesses



On behalf of my teammates, I want to use this opportunity to thank the President for the opportunity given us to start training. Since the beginning of the break, we have been engaging in individual training but we all know it is not as effective as team training. This opportunity will help us get back in shape for the task ahead. We as players are happy about the news. Thank you Mr. President.

Baba Nuhu – Head Coach, Black Maidens

I am so happy and glad that the President has given us the greenlight to start camping towards our last hurdle. I gave out several exercises during the restriction period to all the players who were in camp before the break. My technical team and I did this in bid to keep them active. I am glad that now we can group together as a team to fine-tune our preparations.

Basira Alhassan – Captain, Black Maidens

On behalf of my teammates, we are very happy and excited that after FIFA and CAF had given the go-ahead to resume the qualifiers, today the President has also given us the greenlight to begin camping.  The entire team is very happy about our coming back to the field. I believe together we will be able to put the team in a very good shape ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria.

The post Coaches, captains of Maidens and Princesses react to news of returning to the field first appeared on Sahara Football.

Forty-two players have been invited into the Women’s National U-17, Black Maidens camp as they begin preparations for the 2020 FIFA U-17 Women World Cup qualifier.

The invited players are expected to arrive at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence (GSCE), Prampram on Thursday,January 30.

Here is a list of the invited players ;

GOALKEEPERS

Portia Asantewaa – Hasaacas Ladies Rose Tawiah – Combined Forces Safiatu Salifu – Socrates Ladies Lydia Atimka – Upper East Farihana Zibrim – Bagabaga Ladies

DEFENDERS

Salma Jaibrai Sai – Samaria Ladies Sarah Atinga – Kumasi S. Academy Ruth Amoah – Ideal Ladies Linda Sarfowaa Mintah – Prisons Ladies Elizabeth Oppong – Samaria Ladies Anastasia Achiaa – Sea Lions FC Asana Yahaya – Bagabaga Ladies Fuseini Zulaiha – Pearl Pia Ladies Salomey B. Aidoo – Soccer Intellectuals Louisa Aniwaa – Police Ladies Felicia Adjei – Ashtown Ladies Seidu Ali Faiza – Northern Ladies Ayisha Yakubu – Yoo Ladies Sarah Nyamekye – Immigrations Ladies Abena Anoma Opoku – Ampem Darkoa Ladies

MIDFIELDERS

Alhassan Basira – Pearl Pia Ladies Doreen Obeng Peprah – Prisons Ladies Abigail Amoah – FC Savanah Ladies El-Shaddai Acheampong – Kumasi S. academy Doris Asiamah -Rock Ladies Abigail -Zicom Stars Ladies Georgina O. Mensah. – Charlton Ladies Abigail Amon – Immigrations Ladies Constance Agyemang – Halifax Ladies Emmanuella Yirenkyi -Ashtown Ladies Grace Ntsiful – Hasaacas Ladies Grace Animah – Police Ladies Janice Jamila – Army Ladies Abigail Appiah – Afia Kobi Ladies

STRIKERS

Ophelia Serwaa Amposah -Ampem Darkoa Ladies Alice Sarpong – Sea Lions FC Juanita Aguadze – Police Ladies Sophia M. Agyarkwa – Halifax Ladies Maafia Nyame – Rock Ladies Gifty Agyemang Bia – Root Sistaz Ladies Eunice Pentey – Valued Girls Salamatu Abdulai Bagabaga Ladies.

The post 42 players earn call ups as Black Maidens begin preparations for 2020 FIFA U17 World Cup Q first appeared on Sahara Football.

The Ghana Football Association has appointed Baba Nuhu Mallam as head coach of the National U-17 female team, the Black Maidens with Dora Zuta and Joe Nana Adarkwa as his assistants.

Other members of the technical team include Memunatu Sulemana – Goalkeepers trainer, Maame Antwi-Gyamfi – Team Doctor, Elizabeth Taylor – Physiotherapist, Naomi Abdulai – Equipment manager and Theresa Slippy Mensah as the Welfare manager.

The GFA has also named Nana Oduro Sarfo as Chairman of the Black Maidens management committee with Dr. Benjamin Taylor as the vice-chairman.

Gifty Oware-Aboagye, Nana Benyin Eyison, Simon Ehormah and Asamoah Boakye have all been named as members of the Committee.

Here are the full list of Technical and Management Committee members:

TECHNICAL TEAM

Baba Nuhu Mallam                            – Head Coach

Dora Zuta                                           – Assistant Coach

Joe Nana Adarkwa                              – Assistant Coach (Physical Trainer)

Memunatu Sulemana                         – Goalkeepers Trainer

Dr. Maame Antwi- Gyamfi                – Team Doctor

Elizabeth Taylor                                  – Physiotherapist

Lorraine Arko                                     – Team Nurse

Naomi Abdulai                                    – Equipment manager

Theresa Slippy Mensah                      – Welfare manager

MANAGEMENT  COMMITTEE

Nana Sarfo Oduro                              – Chairman

Dr. Benjamin Taylor                           – Vice Chairman

Gifty Oware-Aboagye                         – Member

Benjamin Nana Beyin Eyison              – Member

Simon Ehomah                                   – Member

Asamoah Boakye                                 – Member

The post Baba Nuhu named as Black Maidens Head coach first appeared on Sahara Football.

Black Maidens were superb in the FIFA U17 World Cup until they were surprised by Mexico who knock them out in penalties in the quarter-final stage of the competition.

FIFA U-17 WWC: Ghana coach disappointed after World Cup exit

“It still hurts that we are out and i am so disappointed because i felt we had a very good chance to win the tournament,” coach Adotey stated on Happy FM.

“I have to congratulate the girls for the awesome display, they did very well and i am proud of them.

“We just have to keep this team and build their capacity because i know they are capable of doing big things in the future.”

Black Maidens arrived Ghana on Wednesday morning.

The post “It still hurts that we are out” – Black Maidens coach Evans Adotey laments first appeared on Sahara Football.

The Black Maidens lost to Mexico after Mexico’s skipper Nicole Perez cancelled Mukarama and Suzzy’s goal in a game that ended 2-2 after in regulation time.

The defeat ended the Black Maidens exceptional run in the FIFA U17 World Cup in Uruguay.

“I’m disappointed,” he said after the game. “I’m disappointed because my main target was to cross this barrier. At the press conference I did explained a lot but unfortunately I have been urged out and I have to go back and see how we prepare ahead of the next edition.”

WATCH:Black Maidens Crash Out Of U17WWC On Penalties

Evan Adotey also revealed that his side prepared very well for penalties before the game but were surprised by the outcome of the shootout.

“Ghana, we started practicing on penalties because getting to this stage we knew penalties shootouts may come in. Even yesterday we practiced some shootouts but low and behold it happened again,” he said disappointingly.

The post FIFA U-17 WWC: Ghana coach disappointed after World Cup exit first appeared on Sahara Football.

The Maidens came into the game in inspired form, winning all group games and conceding only once, but on Sunday they failed to make it to the semi final of the World Cup after drawing 2-2 in full time and losing the subsequent shoot out to the resilient Mexicans.

Black Maidens Thrash Uruguay In U17 World Cup Opener

The Maidens started the first half brightly but striker Mukarama Abdulai was limited to few to no chances as she had very little to fend on in terms of chances. The first half ended goalless.

The second would however be different as 2 mins in a deflected cross found Mukarama in space and she thumped home the header to send Ghana in to the lead.That goal made her the highest goal scorer in the history of the U17 women’s world cup.

Black Maidens hat-trick heroine Abdulai Mukarama excited to win player of the match award in Uruguay hammering

The Maidens at this point looked set to see the game out despite there being more time left on the clock. The Mexicans fought back however and were controversially awarded a penalty when strier Nicole Perez seemed to clip herself in the box but the referee deemed it a foul on her and she pulled Mexico back into the game from the spot.

Ghana restored their lead in the 75th minute from substitute Suzzy Teye but failed to once again secure their back line when a seemingly harmless free kick from 35 yards by Perez somehow managed to beat the Maidens keeper.

The game ended 2-2 and went to a shootout. Ghana missed two of their spot kicks from Justice Annan and Oppong with Mexico netting all four.

Mukarama Brilliance Sees Black Maidens Top Group In U17 Women’s World Cup

Ghana will be sorely disappointed after so much promise was shown by the ladies but the were positives to look at and that will be paramount.

Mexico move on and will face winner of Germany vs Canada in the last quarter final.

The post WATCH:Black Maidens Crash Out Of U17WWC On Penalties first appeared on Sahara Football.

After a perfect group stage performance, the Maidens will have to put all of that behind them and challenge themselves for the clash with the Mexicans.

They were eliminated at this stage last time out and would be hoping to correct that with a win to send them to the semi finals.

Black Maidens hat-trick heroine Abdulai Mukarama excited to win player of the match award in Uruguay hammering

Captain Mukarama Adbulai has been in inspired form, netting 6 goals in 3 matches so far. She will be looking to continue such form to help the Maidens to the next stage of the competition.

Black Maidens Thrash Uruguay In U17 World Cup Opener

The post In Pictures: Black Maidens Train Ahead Of Mexico Clash first appeared on Sahara Football.

FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup: When & Who Black Maidens Will Be Playing Against

The Maidens will face New Zealand in the final group game on Tuesday night to decide who tops the group as the teams prepare for the quarter final stage of the tournament.

The captain of the side Abdulai Mukarama won the the MVP for the second game running and also leads the goal scoring charts with four goals in 2 matches.

The Maidens will however have a final training session on Monday evening at the Club Rentistas stadium to finalize preparation for the clash on Tuesday 20:00 GMT.

The post In Pictures: Black Maidens Train Ahead Of Final Group Game first appeared on Sahara Football.

Mukarama scored a hat-trick and created an assist in the opening day victory for Ghana.

Following the 16 year old’s exploits in the game against Uruguay, she was named player of the match.

The Northern Ladies attacker says she is excited to help her to team to victory as well as winning the game’s best player.

Black Maidens Thrash Uruguay In U17 World Cup Opener

“I am very very excited for this opportunity and winning the best player in the first match,” she said in a post match interview. “Our aim at this world cup was to win our first match and to look forward to our other games.”

“So, I am very very happy and excited,” she added.

Ghana sit top of group A after the heavy win over the host, and will next face Finland who lost their first game against New Zealand.

Coach Evans Adotey’s side are poised on winning the competition for the first time after reaching the semi finals in 2012.

Culled from Ghsoccernet

The post Black Maidens hat-trick heroine Abdulai Mukarama excited to win player of the match award in Uruguay hammering first appeared on Sahara Football.