After ending full-time of play with a defeat against Senegal Under-20 in the ongoing West African Football Union (WAFU) women tournament taking place in Sierra Leone, the coach leading the Guinean side justified there had been no female football programs in the country for many years.
Senegal came from behind and whipped Guinea 3-1 over the weekend at the Southern Arena in Bo City, Sierra Leone.
Speaking during the post- match press conference, the Guinea U-20 coach, Sekouba Camara, said female league has not been planned for years in his country and expressed that his team just managed to prepare players in one week for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) competition and that they are going back to rest for the next match.
He congratulated Senegal for the victory but complained that there were several of his players that were not able to play the games because of age but acknowledged that the girls played a good game and their efforts will be appreciated despite their lost.
He added that an injury in the early minutes pick up by attacker Fatoumata Dede Diallo on the field was a major a problem. The situation that affected the team due to the significant role she plays on the field.
Coach Camara stressed that the age disqualification of five Guinean players was a big problem for them because the five players that were disqualified, were on his competition plan and they only did a one week training, adding that they are going back to see how they can prepare themselves for the game against Guinea Bissau.
Senegal U-20 female coach, Mbayang Thian, appreciated the Guinea team for scoring the first goal in the game and added that her objective in the tournament is to be champion and with a very good match, they have six points and are looking forward to the last game against host, Sierra Leone.
She explained that the problem they are having with the team is that players lose focus on the field because of public fear pointing out, “It was noticed in the first game that it was most of her players’ first time participating in such competition.”
Coach Thian admitted that it was very difficult for her players and the technical team when Guinea dominated the game first half. According to her, Guinean was so aggressive on the ball but she appreciated everything her players did because it is hundred percent of her players’ first time in such competition.
