The World football governing body, FIFA has given organisers of the Aisha Buhari Cup the all clear to stage the maiden edition of the Invitational Women’s Tournament.
The six-nation invitatIonal is being organized in honour of the Nigeria’s First Lady, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Muhammadu Buhari.
In a letter signed by FIFA Head of Qualifiers and International Matches, Gordon Savic, the body noted it has sanctioned the September 15 – 21 showpiece scheduled to hold at two venues in Lagos state; the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan and the Agege Stadium, Agege.
“In accordance with the article 7 of the regulations, FIFA is happy to provide official authorization for this women’s tier 1 tournament…we hereby remind the participating teams that the Laws of the Game must strictly be applied to these tier-1 matches.
“Finally, we would also like to draw your attention to the contents of FIFA’s circular no.1735 of 1st October 2020. The strict application of the FIFA’s Return to Football – International Match Protocol (IMP), or an equivalent protocol of your confederation compliant with the said Protocol, is required,” the letter read.
With this authorization, all is now clear for the commencement of the six-nation showpiece set to kick off with the clash between nine–time African champions, Super Falcons and the Female Eagles of Mali at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.
Nigeria will also play Morocco in Onikan while Agege will see Ghana, South Africa and Cameroon do battle.
Ghana names squad
Ghana will begin Group B actions in Agege against Cameroon.
And in preparation for the tournament, the coach of the Black Queens, Mercy Tagoe-Quarcoo, has named her final list of 23 players. The list includes Sweden–based forward Portia Boakye, Priscilla Okyere who plays in Israel and home based midfielder Grace Adams of Berry Ladies.
The List
Goalkeepers: Fafali Dumehasi (Police Ladies); Victoria Agyei (Kumasi Sports Academy); Mary Neequaye (Immigration Ladies)
Defenders: Gladys Amfobea (Ladystrikers); Nina Norshie (Berry Ladies); Ellen Coleman (Ladystrikers); Janet Egyir (Hasaacas Ladies); Philicity Asuako (Police Ladies); Naomi Anima (Kumasi Sports Academy); Justice Tweneboaa (Ampem Dakoa Ladies)
Mid-fielders: Priscilla Okyere (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Grace Acheampong (Ashtown Ladies); Rashida Ibrahim (Berry Ladies); Henrietta Annie (Police Ladies); Monica Addai (Berry Ladies); Grace Asantewaa (Real Betis, Spain); Grace Adams (Berry Ladies)
Forwards: Vivian Konadu Adjei (Thunder Queens); Elizabeth Owusuaa (Sea Lions); Sophaiah Agyaakwa (Soccer Intellectuals); Princella Adubea (Racing Feminino, Spain); Sonia Opoku (Ampem Dakoa Ladies); Portia Boakye (Djurgardens IF, Sweden)
Nneka Ukachukwu
