"I had no player to look up to, until I saw the 2011 Women’s World Cup. I saw Alex Morgan, who became my role model and inspiration, not just on the field, but also outside the field: believe in yourself and your ability even if other people don’t believe in that."

"Visibility matters because for me being able to share my story is one of the ways that we can solve problems."

"Where I grew up, when you’re a kid, everybody, especially the older people when they see you play, they call on you based on the player that they think best fits your style. When I was like, eight or nine years old, Kaka was my role model. I always loved watching him play for AC Milan, and Brazil. So, one day I was playing with the boys and I needed a name to play. There was this old man who was sitting right next to the field and he was like, ‘Oh, you’re like Kaka from Brazil.’ Pretty much from then on I was Jen Kaka."

"But in this world right now, it’s different. Men get everything they want, women get less. If we ask for more, it looks as if we ask for too much."

"It will be fair if women are paid the same, treated the same, respected the same and given the same platform."

"If you put soccer on TV, whether it is a men’s or women’s game, everybody is going to watch it. Young boys, young girls, they are going to watch it. So it has to be equal."

"I knew at the age of thirteen that I wanted to be a professional player. Now growing up in my country, soccer is there but it’s not as organized as a club or, like they would do here (in the US). I don’t know, it’s fun, but also it’s not as competitive as playing club."

"I remember the days when they said We cannot break that cycle. I now feel like we can break that cycle. Playing soccer isn’t only for men, it is for all young players, boys and girls. I’m glad that things are now changing."

"Soccer is not equal for men and women."

"Every single player, be it a man or a woman, does the same job. We put in the same amount of time, the same amount of work. They give everything they got on the field, and they inspire on and off the field. It’s clear that they have to be paid or treated in the same way."

"So, when I'm wearing the Ghana jersey, I'll be bringing that exact same passion, the same desire and the same focus as well to win the games and hopefully do something special with this national team as well."

"We’ll fight like it’s our last game."

"I never felt that there were people who were going to fight for me."

"Having them gives me a sense of freedom, knowing that they are going to tell people to fight for what I have been craving for, and asking for. Things that I have not been able to say out loud as an individual player."

"This is a dream come true for me. Representing Ghana at this level is an honour, and I’m giving everything for my team."

"I make sure I have enough protein, carbs, and healthy fat in all my nutrition. And constantly reminding myself of what to put in my body because the work we do requires us to be in good shape all the time."

"Being a Nuzest Influencer means a lot to me, and not only inspire young athletes to work harder but also help them take care of their body and stay healthy as well. Where I came from, I was never introduced to nutritions as much as a player, but when I had the opportunity to further my career here, I wanted to learn all that I didn't have in my country so I can help young athletes to understand how proteins and nutrition are important for players."

"I would say trust the process, be able to learn about the product and what works for you. And also give yourself the chance to start something new."

"Growing up as a young girl, it seemed impossible to do things that men do."

"So, I have always been working hard and waiting for an opportunity, and it has finally come."

"I give back to the community, to the young ones especially those that never had an opportunity to have mentorship. We give them boots and this alone can change their lives. We have so many partners that come on board to donate and this has been important to us."

"Playing in the USA gave me the mentality to work harder than everybody else, to always be ready."

"Soccer is a huge sport and all the boys and girls play that. But in our culture it seems like it is only for men. My family and friends, everybody would be like You have to be in the kitchen."

"I love DC [Washington DC] because the people are very respectful, a predominantly Black community gives a feeling of home. You will see so many Ghanaians, Ugandans, Ethiopians basically, you will see people who are the same. People who will take you as a sister and make sure that you do not feel out of place."

"Football has shaped me to find myself, my identity as a woman and as a footballer. It has taught me about life and how to embrace opportunities. It gave me an opportunity to go to college and because of that, I want to be an inspiration to young girls in Ghana. I want them to dream that it is possible to make it, to play with the best in the world."

"I am kind of sad of course because this is not the result that we wanted but I am grateful for the platform."

"Football has provided me with a platform to meet important people and play with and against the best of the best. These are opportunities that I do not take for granted."

"I thank the nation for their support. I know during the group stage it was really hard for us... We were not just here to participate but at least able to make an impact. That is the dream and I am really excited for that."

"It is my first WAFCON so being able to stand there, sing the national anthem with a proud chest, in that moment I was just thinking about my family, the people close to me, people that I care about and all of them watching me."

"We won the bronze medal for ourselves and the nation. I am happy we didn't go home empty handed... To be able to go home with a medal is great. I am really excited."

"I need to be locked in and give everything. I am grateful that it worked out today, so I am looking forward to the next game."

"The quality of the Black Queens team is very high, from the goalkeeping department to the attackers. All the players have geniune talents."

"Sometimes you will lose, sometimes too you will win but I think we can build on the positives from now."

"As a footballer you need to be tough in everything so I will say I am thankful to God for how far He has brought me, I am so excited to be back."

"We don’t really care about their World ranking as I know we can match them. We are going to play as a team and I know at the end of the day we are going to achieve what we deserve."

"My message is simple: keep supporting us, keep praying for us. We promise to give our best and bring the trophy home. Thank you."

"Watching from the stands in the opener, I knew that if I am going to get a chance to come in, I need to do more, work hard and give my team the balance."

"When it comes to motivating myself, it is not about money but I encourage myself to be the best at what I do and when fans are happy, it's a great feeling for me. This award is a massive honour and a motivation to reach higher heights."

"They are really doing a good job for us because at first people don’t even cheer female footballers but now they are all supporting us. We are always grateful, we hope they will continue to support and we will also do our best for them."

"It’s very important to lead by example through my work. I always make myself available to the younger ones in case they need support. We live together like a family, and sometimes it’s hard to even tell who’s new or old."

"Every team at the AFCON has earned their place, so each game will be tough. But we have belief in ourselves and what we bring to the competition."

"I never felt that’s what I was born to do. I could do more than that, so that is something that I always wanted to change."

"In the previous squads, I was one of the youngest and had the chance to learn a lot from the experienced players. Now, I’m one of the oldest and the longest-serving, so I’ve taken on the responsibility of mentoring the younger ones, which I really enjoy."

"I always want to give my best for the national team because I love Ghana and our fans are amazing. They deserve our very best."

"Whatever it takes to keep myself in top shape, I’m ready to do it."

"It’s very important. When I check my social media, I see people who post about me and send encouraging messages. We definitely inspire many, especially the young ones who dream of playing for Ghana one day."

"Yes for sure, I am hoping for that, that's my aim, I listen to coaches and personally I feel anything you do you have to set a target and that is my target and am working towards that."

"I am super excited that I finally have played at the WAFCON. This is a dream come true."

"I try to promote grassroots football in the North. I’m getting support from the state government, and it’s helping young girls who want to play professionally and pursue their dreams."