Maqonda Ndlovu
Brave Gladiators coach Paulus Shipanga says preparations went well for the important Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) qualifier against Ghana in Accra today.
Speaking to New Era Sport from Ghana, Shipanga said they have no major injury worries except for small knocks, which will not affect the team selection.
“We have a few players who are not feeling well, like Emma (Naris) and new girl Hilya (Kanyama), but it is nothing major. We had called up a couple of players who couldn’t make it due to exams, hence we had to change personnel. We prepared for two weeks in Namibia,” he said.
He added that playing away from home will require the players to concentrate throughout the match, and the team must avoid conceding any goals to avoid chasing the game.
Some of the new members of the squad include Kanyama, who is 23 years old; Aune Andreas (18); Helena Shuumbwa (24) and Metutjo Tjivikua (21).
“We want to make sure that we frustrate them as much as we can. We want to get a draw or at least catch them on the counter and finish them with a goal or two away from home,” he said.
He said Ghana is a big team on the African continent; “we have to go out and have fun, and we don’t expect miracles. We just want to make sure we play better than we did against Morocco.”
Shipanga said the team had learned lessons from their two matches against Morocco, especially when it comes to concertation.
“In those two matches, concertation became a big problem, and this time we have spoken to girls as much as possible about their awareness, concertation, and the physicality of the Ghana team so that they can be mentally prepared,” he explained.
The Gladiators’ coach said the mood in the camp is fine; they are trying to be as positive as possible, and the team will go out and try to represent the country as best as they can.
The game is scheduled for 15h30.
Algerian referee Ghada Mehat is set to officiate the match alongside compatriots Asma Feriel Quahab and Sara Kimad, who will be the two assistants.