“We are joking and sleeping” – Mercy Tagoe slams GFA’s approach to women’s football

Head coach of the Ghana Women’s National team, Mercy Tagoe-Quarcoo, has slammed the country’s attitude towards women’s football development and says authorities are merely “joking” and “sleeping” on the job.

Tagoe-Quarcoo was speaking following the Black Queens’ 2-0 victory over Cameroon in the Aisha Buhari Cup tournament in Lagos on Monday.

The former national star contends the country is getting left behind because of the Ghana Football Association’s lackadaisical attitude towards women’s football development in the country.

“Coincidentally both sides (Ghana and Cameroon) brought fresh legs into their team, trying to test their pulse and how best they can fit into the team,” she started.

“My team for instance, like I told you the last time, South Africa being our sisters and girlfriends brought all their stars and we all know what Thembi Kgatlana can do, and what she is doing and what she will continue to do,” she added.

“I respect them so much because they have taken the women’s football to the next level and we all have to look at it and emulate. We are joking, believe you me, we do this today, tomorrow we do that and next time when we are called we think we will get there. When you sleep, others will wake up and do it for you to see.”

Ghana had lost 3-0 to South Africa in their opening game of the invitational tournament before redeeming themselves against the Cameroonians with goals from Princella Adubea and Vivian Konadu.

The team travelled to Nigeria without key members of the team’s foreign-based players, including captain Elizabeth Addo, who was reportedly left out of the team after she criticized the Ghana Football Association on social media for neglecting the Queens.

Ghana will play Nigeria on October 17, in the first leg of the qualifiers for the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.