Mercy Tagoe

"It was a memorable day because growing up, it was my prayer that one day, I would don the colors of Ghana. It didn't matter where exactly I would find myself – just donning the colors was something I was seriously looked up to. And when you start wearing the red, gold, green, you become an ambassador for the nation."

"Honestly, before I entered into the national team, I mistakenly saw it to be ordinary – until I got there. I realized that you have such a big responsibility on your shoulders. Until you get in there, you will never know."

"Winning the trophy is the ultimate. So, if you are not able to win the trophy, trust me, it hurts a lot. It's like your ambition has been defeated. But gradually, I believe that with good preparation and time, we'll get there."

"As a legend, the positive aspect is that you enter [places] without difficulties. People know you, greet you, and give you that much respect because of what you've done for your country."

"It has earned me CAF assignments; numerous ones in fact. I travel without paying tickets. I live in luxurious hotels without paying a dime. I meet people in high places, make friends with people I wouldn’t have ordinarily been friends with. So, in a nutshell, it has molded my life. You need to be disciplined. You need to know how to relate to people."

"I've learned different cultures and values here and there, and I've added them to mine. It has shaped my life."

"Football has really advanced, especially women’s football, which has empowered us. Now women can talk; women can stand in front of people and express themselves, no matter where they find themselves."

"Women's football has really come of age and I thank God that FIFA is really pushing hard. CAF is also pushing very hard."

"I think I'll give CAF thumbs up and kudos. They are really doing something positive. CAF wasn't like this. And looking at what CAF is doing, trust me, the sky is our limit."

"Girls, this is the moment! Go play your heart out, believe in yourselves, and fight with pride!"

"Block out the noise!"

"When you sleep, others will wake up and do it for you to see."

"Coaching is full of uncertainties."

"The future of of female football in Ghana and Africa is good and will be bright if only our leaders can do things right and go in for good sponsorship."

"No pregnancy has been recorded so far, the players are matured enough and some have gone through the ranks of the national teams and they know better. Some are married and if it happens that’s fair."

"Yes we play football, it doesn’t make us men."

"Sometimes you need to package yourselves well."

"In as much as we are crying or asking for gender equality, how you sell yourself is the same amount they are going to buy you. The way we dress, the way we mingle with people how we present ourselves in the midst of people, how we even talk, how we do things. If you package yourself well, your prices will go high."

"For women, when we are out of activity for a long time, we start bloating and that is exactly what is happening now."