GRi Sports

Portland Oregon (USA) 01 October 2003 - Ben Koufie, Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has commended the women national team, Black Queens, for their performance at the Fourth FIFA Women World Cup in the USA.

In spite of the fact that the Queens were unable to go past the preliminary stage of the three-week tournament, the GFA boss said he was impressed with their output.

The Queens, one of Africa's two representatives, lost to China and Russia 0-1 and 0-3 respectively but bounced back to chalk a historic 2-1 victory over Australia in their final group D match.

Koufie said at the team's Portland base in the US that there has been a remarkable improvement in the Queens performance as compare to the 1999 edition, which was also hosted by the USA. He said the Queens narrow loss to China in the opening group match attest to the fact that there has been a great improvement.

The Ghanaian ladies were hammered 7-0 by China last four years but conceded a just a goal against the same side in this year's fiesta. "I believe that but for ill luck, you will have travel to the next stage of the competition", said the 71 year-old GFA boss.

He said technically, he was convinced that the team played well especially against Russia, which unfortunately, they lost heavily by 3-0.
Koufie urged the players not to lose hope but try to work hard towards a better future.

Accra (Greater Accra) 01 October 2003 - Ghana's Black Queens are billed to arrive on Thursday at six in the morning, a statement from the Ghana Football Association said on Wednesday.

The team will drive through some principal streets in Accra at 0900 GMT and later call on the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports.

The Queens failed to qualify for the quarterfinals after two losses and a win in group D. They lost 0-1 to favourites China, 0-3 to Russia and managed a face-saving 2-1 win over Australia in the final group match on Sunday.

Skipper Alberta Sackey fetched both goals for the Queens, which became the team's first ever victory at the Women's World Cup.

Portland, Oregon (USA) 1 Oct. 2003 - Players of the women national soccer team, the Black Queens, each received a winning bonus of 1,000 dollars for their 2-1 historic victory over Australia in their final group D preliminary match on Sunday.

The Queens lost their opening two matches against group favourites China and Russia but bounced back to chalk a memorable 2-1 victory over Australia, which also happened to be the Ghanaian ladies first ever win at the World Cup.

Officials had promised each player 3,000 dollars should the Queens qualify for the next stage of the tournament, which unfortunately, they failed to achieve. The Ghanaian ladies placed third in the four-team group from which China and Russia qualified for the quarterfinals.

Skipper Alberta Sackey who was sidelined in the second group match against Russia made history for Ghana when she struck twice against Australia to give the Queens their first ever World Cup victory.

In a related development, the Ghanaian community in Portland on Monday gave each player 150 dollars for the victory against Australia. James Tetteh, Chairman of the Community said the gift was in appreciation of the Queens' performance and more importantly the win against Australia.

He said the team has been a great source of pride to the community and urged the players not to lose hope but to psych themselves up for the next tournament. Sackey whose two goals gave Ghana her first victory was given 1,000 dollars by one Mr Mattew Essiah and his family, members of the Community.

The Community also presented T-shirts and music Compact disc among items to the team. Meanwhile, the team is scheduled to arrive in Ghana on Thursday 2 October by Ghana Airways.