Black Queens coach Nora Hauptle has set her sights on securing qualification to the third round of the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifying tournament. As they prepare to host Benin in the second leg of the second round tie, Hauptle’s team are riding high on a remarkable winning streak under her leadership.
Since her appointment in February of this year, Hauptle has overseen an impressive transformation of the Black Queens, with the team boasting an extraordinary nine consecutive wins. Their remarkable form has put them on the cusp of securing a 10th consecutive victory at the Accra Sports Stadium, a win that would guarantee their passage to the next stage of the qualifiers in their quest to reach the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The Black Queens enter the match with a comfortable first-leg advantage, having defeated Benin 3-0 in Cotonou. However, Hauptle remains focused and determined, emphasising the team’s commitment to securing results and qualification. She stated, “We play always for results and qualification. It’s the second leg, and so, of course, we will try to win this game. It’s the second round of our Olympic qualifiers, and it’s our objective to pass to the third round in February.”
Hauptle further highlighted the team’s meticulous preparation and analysis of the first game to fine-tune their tactics for the upcoming match. She expressed confidence in the team’s ability to deliver on the pitch.
On the other side, despite facing a 3-0 deficit ahead of the return fixture, Benin’s assistant coach, Frederic Hounkponou, remains optimistic about his team’s chances. He believes that in football, anything is possible, emphasizing that “no team is unbeatable.” Hounkponou acknowledged Ghana’s status as a strong football nation but expressed the determination to give their best in the match.
The winner of this tie, which is highly likely to be Ghana, will progress to face Zambia in the third round. Subsequently, they could meet either Morocco or Tunisia in the fourth or final qualifying round. The Black Queens, who have never qualified for the Olympic Games, are eager to make history and, with their outstanding record under Hauptle, have every reason to believe in their potential for success.
By Enoch Fiifi Forson