FIFA Women’s WCQ 2022: “We are ready for the next challenge against Ghana”-Uganda coach Khalifa

Uganda will seek to maintain their fairytale run in the African qualifiers for FIFA Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 when they take on favourites Ghana on Saturday, 22 January 2022.

The East African team brought to an end the qualification dreams of South Africa after a 1-0 aggregate win and were rewarded with a fourth-round showdown with the West Africans.

Before ousting South Africa in the third round last December, Uganda had eliminated CECAFA rivals Kenya on a 10-3 aggregate win in October 2021.

The Ugandans will now be aiming to replicate a similar feat against the Black Princesses and coach Ayub Khalifa has shared the state of mind of his girls in the camp for the Ghana contest.

“We are really fine as a team and everyone is in good shape and ready for Ghana’s game,” Khalifa exclusively told CAFOnline.com.

“The victory against South Africa gave us much confidence and motivation. Sometimes we look at big teams and we think the name plays the game but it is not always like that.

“The morale among the girls in the camp is very high and they are ready for the next challenge against Ghana.”

Both teams were previously paired at this stage of the competition in the 2014 African qualifiers, but the Ugandans withdrew from their match for financial reasons then.

This time, Khalifa acknowledges the pedigree of the Ghanaians as four-time U20 Women’s World Cup participants but insists his ladies are not under pressure to face Ben Fokuo’s ladies.

“It will not be an easy game. I’ve seen them [Ghana] play, a very strong and physical team. However, my concentration is on how I can prepare my team and not focus too much on Ghana,” the former Uganda U17 tactician continued.

“My target is to have a comfortable win at home and later travel to Ghana to finish the job. I think they are more under pressure than us. They know the sweetness of being at the World Cup and for us, we are just working hard to replace them on the world stage.”

Photo@CAF