By: Alusine Rehme Wilson
For the first time in the history of the CAF Champions League qualifiers a team from Sierra Leone is competing for a slot to the finals of the 3rd edition.
AWE-Media.SL interviewed the coach and captain of Mogbwemo Queens; the reigning champions of Sierra Leone’s maiden National Women’s Premier League ahead of their opening match later today at 5:00pm local time at the SKD Stadium against AS Dakar of Senegal in the four teams Zone A qualifiers.
She also expressed confidence over guiding her team to shine in Liberia against their tri-opponents from Senegal, Mali and Liberia praising her recently announced star-stunned final squad of 22 players for the qualifiers.
Although two of her team’s new recruits winger Matilda Kabba and Mariama Sambo signed from Kahunla Queens of Kenema and Sporting Clube Da Guiné Bissau who’ve been named in coach Suma’s final squad will not be available for their opening game, the experienced trainer has asked for prayers from Sierra Leoneans to further help them to succeed in their maiden outing.
Speaking to AWE-Media.SL from their R.L.J Kendeja Resort & Villas camp in Monrovia Mogbwemo Queens captain Honoria W. Hotta started by acknowledging the task ahead of them, "we're fully motivated and set to make history as the first Sierra Leonean Female team to assemble for the Zone A qualifiers which will automatically grant the overall best team a slot to finals of 3rd edition of the prestigious CAF Women Champions League, a maiden opportunity which his side is ready to grab.”
Like her coach the skipper said they’re not afraid of their opponents, adding they’ve understudied their playing styles which has even made their camp in Monrovia lively with their determination to win every match growing.
Speaking to AWE-Media.SL in Monrovia, Adama Paulina Suma takes off by confirming her side’s readiness to roar, saying “we’re here to compete and not to participate, and our team goal remains grabbing the spot which will fulfil our dream to raise our country’s football flag higher.”
The trainer who’s a former player of East End Lioness revealed they’re “not afraid of their opponents after studying their playing styles making their camp livelier with determination to win every match growing.
“My players have given her their word to excel in the qualifiers. They said, "Coach, we’re soldiers ready to defend our team’s name and this time we’re ready to also do the same for not only us but our nation.”
Suma who made history in April when she guided Mogbwemo Queens to win the maiden edition of the National Women’s Premier League in Sierra Leone with 55 points from 22 games securing 17 wins, 4 draw and 1 defeat re-echoed her continental dream to guide the Rutile based female football powerhouse to pick up the Zone-A ticket for the CAF Women’s Club Competition.
Asked about if she’s worried about the absence of Matilda Kabba and Mariama Sambo recently signed from Kahunla Queens of Kenema and Sporting Club Da Guiné Bissau for their opening game, the experienced trainer said there are no worries as she reposes confidence in the rest of her star-stunned 22 players squad unveiled on Saturday final squad, saying the available ones are capable to shine in against their tri-opponents AS Dakarr, AS Mande and Determine Girls of Senegal, Mali and Liberia.
Skipper Honoria W. Hotta says they’re aware of the task ahead of them, but are banking on team motivation and zest to give their best in the pitch to etch their name to the history book as the first Sierra Leonean Female team to compete and grab a slot to the prestigious women’s league, scheduled for November 5-9 in Côte d’Ivoire.
“We’ve drawn enough inspiration from home after winning the maiden edition of our national women’s premier league against 11 tough opponents. Now we’re ready to capitalize on the maiden opportunity not to merely participate but to compete and claim the spot to advance to the prestigious continental women’s race which will be a dream come true for us.”
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