Yusif Basigi, coach of Ghana's U-20 female team, the Black Princesses, exudes confidence in his squad's potential to advance to the final of the ongoing 2024 African Games.
Their imminent clash against Senegal in the semifinals of the women's competition is scheduled to commence at 20:00GMT.
Prepared for a challenging encounter, Basigi maintains an optimistic outlook on securing a berth in the final.
Recalling their recent showdown with Uganda, where they effectively executed their game strategy despite conceding an early goal, Basigi stresses the significance of meticulous preparation.
"We faced Senegal during the World Cup qualifiers and emerged victorious, but we won't underestimate them this time. I've observed their gameplay, and they're formidable opponents. Hence, we'll approach the match with utmost seriousness, expecting a tough challenge."
Despite grappling with defensive instability due to injuries, Basigi assures their readiness to rectify errors and fortify their defensive line.
"Injuries have led to some inconsistency in our defense. Although we conceded first in the previous match before equalizing, we've diligently addressed our shortcomings in training to ensure it doesn't recur in the upcoming game."
Recognizing Senegal's strength, Basigi emphasizes the importance of a focused approach.
Despite striker Mukarama's recent missed opportunities, Basigi reiterates his confidence in her abilities and pledges continued support for her development.
"Mukarama's missed chances won't sideline her from the team. We'll keep backing her, and I believe she'll regain her confidence soon."
As they hone Mukarama's goal-scoring skills during training sessions, Basigi remains optimistic about their prospects against Senegal.
"We've been refining her goal-scoring prowess during training, and I'm hopeful she'll make a significant impact in the upcoming match against Senegal."
The highly anticipated match is slated to take place at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.