We’re prepared for anyone – Ghana women’s coach

The Black Queens boss shares his thoughts on their draw for the flagship continental championship

Ghana coach Bashir Hayford says his side hold no fears for anyone following Sunday’s final draw for the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations in Accra.

In the search for their first ever tournament title, the hosts have been drawn against three-time finalists Cameroon, Algeria and Mali in Group A.

The Black Queens will open their campaign against the North Africans on November 17, before facing Les Aiglonnes and the Indomitable Lionesses.

“I had seven possible teams to face before the draw and I was prepared to play any of them,” Hayford told Goal after the draw.

“Cameroon, Algeria and Mali joined us to be four. I’m not afraid of them at all because [regardless of your group], you will have to be prepared to meet the other tough teams when you qualify from the group.

“We were prepared for all the countries. Now that we have three of them joining us in the group, we’re going to strategize very well, monitor them very well and prepare to meet them. It will not be smooth-sailing.

“You can’t underrate any team. Our Black Stars recently lost to Kenya, so you can’t underrate any team [in football]. We’re hoping for total support from our country.”

Ghana are hoping to go a step further on home soil, having made the final of the tournament on three previous occasions.

“Our preparation at the moment is okay,” Hayford continued.

“We have the best in camp now. Our foreign-based players have started arriving. Three of them are already in.

“Our authorities are planning for us to meet some of the countries that are not in our group for friendly games.

“The host-and-win [mantra] is the voice of the people. And the voice of the people is the voice of God.”

Seven-time champions Nigeria are in Group B, alongside South Africa, Kenya and Zambia.