"We are preparing seriously, with a lot of desire, and we are aware of the importance of this tournament for us, for our country, and for the development of women's football in Tanzania."

"We are all serving the same Ghana as the male players and coaches."

"I rely a lot on the advice of my coaches, whether at club or national level. They help me to progress, to stay focused on my goals. I'm also very attentive to my teammates, I learn from them. I think the main thing is to stay humble, to work hard every day, and to always keep in mind the collective goals."

"Whenever I’m listening to Radio and watching TV, I hear how they(the media) promote and fight for the Black Stars and other Men’s national teams at the expense of we the Female teams which shouldn’t be the case."

"Naturally, we want to win the tournament because it would feel very good [to do do] at home, but we can only focus on it one game at a time."

"The Black Queens were the first team to represent the country at the world cup level but the kind of treatment and promotion we get from Ghanaians especially the media is on the low side."

"My personal success only counts if it helps the team move forward."

"We are hosting the tournament and our prime target is to win the title as hosts and qualify for the World Cup which will be staged in France next year."

"We still believe we can qualify so we are going there to fight and get the win."

"I have been talking to my colleagues, trying to motivate them that we can make a name for ourselves and the country."

"You know in the past we lost in the finals three times but this time around we have the advantage to redeem our image so we must do everything possible to win."

"The coach said he wants to use the princesses and the maidens to represent the team which is not a bad idea but they lack experience to get the job done. Assuming Kwarasey is ignored in the stars, people will complain but when it happens in the female side, no one is talking about it so I wish Ghanaians give the same attention to the queens ."

"I was having my period regularly, there were no signs of me being pregnant."

"During our time, we could not make money from football and even the way we were paid left us in debt before we even receive our bonuses."

"We have a task ahead of us and we can go to the Championship to deliver whatever we can. I think we have the qualities and the players that can face all this countries – opponents."

"It was difficult initially to get used to the environment in Saudi Arabia, including the language, food and many things, but now I’m used to it and everything is going well, and I’m happy."

"There is a lot of potential among young girls in Tanzania. They need to know that if they work hard, they can succeed, help their families and make their country proud. Women's football is a way forward."

"We respect our opponents, but we're not going to be satisfied with being there. We will fight, proudly represent our country and try to get results. We are ready to take up the challenge."

"This year's tournament is not going to be easy, everything that will be participarting will be coming for the ultimate."

"When I have the ball, she knows what I'll do next."

"Why can't female players and coaches be celebrated as well?"

"We have come close many times so there we are not far off at all."

"I have believed and very confident we can make mother Ghana proud when the competition begins."

"It is not as if we are throwing sour grapes, just because we have lost. Rather, this is the fact and it is up to the organisers to do something about this. It is not good for African women’s football."

"We are not out of it, just like they scored here we can also go there and score without conceding."

"It's little moments like that that that remain engraved. He's a world star, and to be able to cross paths in the same club is something inspiring."

"I didn’t necessarily choose soccer. I just accidentally started playing and with time I was actually good at it. So I kept going."

"I started getting interest in soccer since I was little. I would say I was about 4. I developed interest by following my two brothers around. They played street soccer all the time and I would follow them out and be a ball girl. But it all changed, one day they were one play short and they put me in to make up the number. Though all I did was run around, it was fun. It didn’t stop there. They continued whenever they were a player short. I played street soccer until middle school."

"Never been interested in any other sports. My parents were really supportive. My parents are very educated so they know the value of combining education with sports. My dad bought all the necessary things I needed to play."

"Getting to this stage of the tournament is a big deal, not just for us as players but for the entire country."

"Tomorrow, we’ll give it our all."

"I’ve been through a lot going to school in a foreign country. Had to do jobs on the side to pay for my expenses. In the end it was really worth it."

"Ummm I think you need to be willing to learn, be positive, most of of all be persistent and don’t give up easily, you have to be coachable and not complacent, be humble and listen to good advice from your coaches and experienced players. I think that’s it."

"We the older players try to guide them and keep the team strong. It was always my dream to play in these kinds of games. But due to some reasons, I haven’t had the chance to be on the field as much as I wanted. Still, I’m supporting the team in every way I can."

"Some of the younger players bring so much energy to the team. It lifts us."

"We trust our coach. He’s given us a clear game plan, and all we have to do is to follow it and give everything we’ve got."

"I'm from Accra, but I was born in Liberia. My father is Ghanaian, and my brothers live in Ghana. I've been to Ghana only once, but it was great seeing my family and having that experience. I really enjoyed it."

"I think that if we all work together and follow the coach's instructions, we can achieve great things. My hope is to win the Women's African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and then qualify for the World Cup."

"We’ve worked so hard, and now we’re just one step away from the final. That means everything."

"We know what this game means. We are hopeful. We’ve prepared well."

"Yes, the challenges I faced was being called names in my community. Names like, manwoman, boygirl and even a prostitute. And there are a lot of misconceptions about female athletes. That you won’t be able to give birth and finding a husband would be difficult. But am glad that people’s perception is changing everyday about women in sport’s."

"I think if we play to our best abilities, I think we could really win the whole thing."

"You have to make sure you’re fit, that your weaknesses improve … you have to have confidence in yourself. There is always something to work on, so you should never not be doing something."

"It’s been my dream to be a professional soccer player."

"It’s just been really exciting to play for the national team — It’s always been a dream, but I never thought I’d actually be here. It didn’t become real to me until I was there, and it was one of the best experiences of my life."

"Playing the host nation is exciting, not pressure."

"You’ve got to keep pushing yourself. When you’re tired? You have to do more. Do you want to stop a guy? Do one more."

"I’ve been learning the path to success is not just one straight line. There are a lot of ups and downs, and most people don’t see the downs."

"I’m not saying we haven’t tried, but football is about results."