It all comes down to this. One game. Two fierce rivals. And ninety minutes to etch their name into Ghanaian football history.
This weekend, the Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League serves up a blockbuster final—Police Ladies, the disciplined battalion, face the past queens, Ampem Darkoa. And the mood in the Police Ladies camp? Laser-focused.
I spent the afternoon at the Police Training Complex in Tesano—where boots met grass with purpose, and every pass echoed one thing: redemption.
“We are relaxed; we’ve learnt from previous encounters and from previous seasons that you don’t have to be tensed,” head coach Abu Kassim told Joy Sports.
“What we do here every day, what we have been doing in the league is the same thing that we have to do in the final. So, if we consider the final to be an extraordinary game, we will find ourselves wanting
It’s been a season of grit for Police Ladies. After falling short in the final of the FA Cup last year, they’ve reloaded—and it shows. With just one loss all season, and a defensive record that speaks of structure, they’ve earned their place in the final – a stage they have been chasing for years.
“Every season, we try our best to win the league, but our best is never enough. It’s every player’s dream to reach the level of playing in Africa and represent Police Ladies well,” captain of the side, Mary Berko, told Joy Sports.
“We also want to show we are capable of being up there. And we are glad we are almost there.”
Finishing as the top seed in the Southern Zone was a statement. An efficient system centred on a ruthless counter-attacking structure supported by a solid and organised backline. The blueprint? Discipline and desire.
Despite the threats of Ampem Darkoa, Police are not perturbed.
“We are excited to be in the final, having beaten Hasaacas Ladies to the Southern Zone title. We are unfazed,” Philicity Asuako added.
“They have beaten us four times and we have won once. They won’t have it easy because we are preparing.”
The atmosphere at their training has been electric. Controlled chaos, you could say. Every drill timed to the second. Every tackle comes with a roar. And beneath it all, an unshakable belief — that come full-time, the trophy will wear blue.
But standing in their way are the Northern Zone champions. Ampem Darkoa Ladies — experienced, explosive, and aiming for another title. The stage is set for a clash of identities: structure versus flair, defence versus dynamism.
Also at stake is a place to represent Ghana at the WAFU B Champions League qualifiers.
“For me as a coach, that is my biggest motivation [to play at the continental stage] and for the players, an opportunity to sell themselves because within Ghana, you are seen by Ghanaians and if you are lucky, a few others. Beyond Ghana, you are selling yourself to the whole world,” Kassim added. “The WAFU B level brings an extra motivation.”
“As a player, you have to know what you want. Everyone wants to play on the biggest stages. It’s always been our dream to play at that level,” Berko continued.
That feeling was shared by Asuako, who played in the competition with Playing at the WAFU B level will be an exciting opportunity. It will be an opportunity for some of the players within the team to also travel.
HEAD COACH, CAPTAIN and PHILICITY
On Saturday, it’s not just a final. It’s a final exam. And for Police Ladies — after months of drilling, dreaming, and driving forward — this is the moment to pass with distinction.
So, who writes the next chapter of Ghanaian women’s football? The answer awaits under the floodlights. And you won’t want to miss it.
On Saturday, it’s not just a final. It’s a final exam. And for Police Ladies — after months of drilling, dreaming, and driving forward — this is the moment to pass with distinction.
So, who writes the next chapter of Ghanaian women’s football? The answer awaits under the floodlights. And you won’t want to miss it.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
