Sherifatu Sumaila

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

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

"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."

"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."

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

"Tomorrow, we’ll give it our all."

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

"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."

"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."

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

"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."

"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."

"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."