Following his unveiling as head coach of Ghana’s senior women’s national team, the Black Queens, Kim Lars Bjorkegren took charge of his first game last week.
Bjorkegren led the team in their friendly against Morocco as part of their preparations for the rescheduled 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament.
Having held the Atlas Lionesses for almost the majority of the game, the Black Queens fell shot in the dying embers as Sakina Ouzraoui beat Cynthia Konlan with powerful low drive to seal the win for the hosts.
While the Swede would be disappointed with the results, there were also some impressions left by the team from the game.
Here are some takeaways from the game on Friday evening:
- Cynthia Konlan justifies her first-choice spot
In the last few years, Cynthia Findib Konlan has been the first-choice goalkeeper for the Black Queens. Her role in post for the national team has been fundamental to the team’s performance. It’s no surprise many attribute the team’s inability to qualify for the Olympic Games to her absence.
Against Morocco, the Saudi-based shot-stopper denied the Atlas Lionesses several times before he was eventually beaten in the latter part of the game. Cynthia was key to the team’s buildup and made herself available to help the team play out of trouble whenever they were pecked back.
- The Jennifer Cudjoe-Grace Asantewaa double pivot
If there is anything worth praising, it’s the performance of Jennifer Cudjoe and Grace Asantewaa on a night where the Black Queens were struggling. The two players have formed a good partnership since the time of Nora Hauptle and look set to continue that role under the Swedish trainer.
While they were unable to help the team with building up from the back and playing through the middle, they contributed to breaking down the Moroccan attacks through the middle on several occasions. It will take a bit of time to see how they gel under the new management but the signs from the game against Morocco were good.
- The search for a goalpoacher continues
In the past two years, one thing the team has struggled with is a prolific striker. While there have been goals from all parts of the team, the absence of an out-and-out striker has been felt and the game against Morocco was an evidence.
Doris Boaduwaa, who has preferred playing from the wings to playing through the middle, started as the No.9. She barely had any impact on Ghana’s attack in the game and for most part of the game had to chase for the ball.
Doris was not the only to struggle in that position. When Gifty Assefuah also took to the pitch and assumed that role, she didn’t seem any better than what the Israeli-based forward had done.
With Morocco on the horizon, Bjorkegren will need to pay attention to how he can resolve this challenge with options available.
- Princess Marfo and Josephine Kyerewaa Bonsu breathe hope
Two players who would get mentions from the game on Friday will definitely be the two; Princess Marfo and Josephine Kyerewaa Bonsu. They get a mention not because they were extra-ordinary, but for the confidence they played with in what was their second and first appearances respectively.
Princess started her first game for the Black Queens after her first appearance coming off the bench in the friendly against Japan last year. The Right to Dream Academy graduate always looked to take her marker on anytime she had the ball and was behind Ghana’s first attempt in the game which went wide of the post.
Josephine, first watched by Nora, made her debut appearance for the team replacing Princess in the game and looked bright and a spark when the team had her on the ball. Though Ghana never really threatened, she showed glimpses of her quality and what she could offer going forward.
It would be interesting to see the options on the left wing when Ghana gets on the plane to Morocco for the WAFCON.
- Pattern of play
One of the things many applauded Nora for, was the fact that she found an identity for the Black Queens. A style, a pattern and a sustainable way of getting the team to play. They were building from the back with fullbacks the main carriers of the ball or one centre-back (usually Susan Ama Duah) driving into spaces.
In Bjorkegren’s first game, there was none of that. The only way of getting into the opposition’s half was ballooning the ball all the time. While it meant safety at some points, it also brought danger as the team couldn’t win the aerial duels or take advantage of the second balls.
The Swede and his technical team needs to find a style for the team and it has to be fast with the WAFCON not a long time of.
Away from the game against Morocco, Ghanaians will be hoping for an improved performance when the Black Queens take on Raja Casablanca Women on Monday, February 24.
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