Alice Kusi’s title has lengthy resonated in Ghanaian women’s soccer, however on the Morocco 2024 CAF Ladies’s Africa Cup of Nations, she cemented her place among the many continent’s elite.
At 30, the skilled midfielder performed a pivotal function in main the Black Queens to a third-place end, scoring twice in 5 video games and producing a Participant of the Match efficiency in opposition to reigning champions South Africa within the bronze medal match.
A two-time WAFCON participant (2016 and 2018), Kusi was integral in Ghana’s journey again to the continental stage. Her gorgeous four-goal efficiency in opposition to Rwanda within the qualifiers, together with a first-half hat-trick, reflecting her enduring high quality and eye for objective. With Ghana nonetheless chasing their first WAFCON remaining since 2006, her affect in the midst of the park stays invaluable.
For Kusi, standing on the podium meant greater than private glory, it was about salvaging pleasure for her nation after a difficult match.
Regardless of the early stumbles, the Black Queens bounced again, and Kusi’s management in midfield was important within the turnaround.
“Congratulations to me and the whole staff. Being the participant of the match means quite a bit to me,” she mentioned.
“We gained the bronze medal for ourselves and the nation. I’m completely satisfied we didn’t go dwelling empty handed… To have the ability to go dwelling with a medal is nice. I’m actually excited.”
She additionally took time to appreciate the overwhelming help from Ghanaians all through the marketing campaign. “I thank the nation for his or her help. I do know throughout the group stage it was actually arduous for us… We weren’t simply right here to participate however at the least capable of make an influence. That’s the dream and I’m actually excited for that.”
Regardless of her accomplishments, Kusi stays fueled by ambition. Her journey by golf equipment in Serbia, Turkey, and now Saudi Arabia displays her persistence and starvation for progress.
However one dream stays firmly in her coronary heart to at some point don the jersey of FC Barcelona. “Each participant have a favorite staff. It was my want to play for Barcelona,” she admitted. “The place I’m and the place I wish to be is just a little bit far… I at all times keep optimistic. If it occurs I might make it at some point. That’s the dream and I’ll perpetually be grateful.”
Her honesty resonates with younger footballers throughout the continent. Even after greater than a decade on the high stage, Kusi continues to chase excellence, proving that goals don’t expire with age.
Now with Al-Ahli Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Kusi is one among many African stars serving to form the quickly creating ladies’s recreation within the Center East. Whereas it’s completely different from her earlier stints in Europe, she sees promise in her present league and believes it’s on a path to world relevance.
“I do know I’m enjoying within the Saudi League. There’s a lot distinction from the leagues I performed earlier than however they’re making an attempt to progress in ladies’s football,” she defined. “The sphere is ideal… You may see that we have now a whole lot of Saudi league gamers on this match. This implies the competitors over there’s sturdy… For the years forward, the league in Saudi might be wonderful.”
Her work ethic continues to encourage these round her. “I believe she is nice,” mentioned staff official Seun Oyediji. “She works like she is at the least 25. The way in which she strikes… very effectively deserved that she gained the participant of the match. We’ve been underdogs, however I believe the long run might be even higher.”
As Ghana appears to be like forward with renewed confidence, Alice Kusi stands as each an emblem of resilience and a reminder that one of the best could but be to return.-CAF
- Kusi flanked by teammates and an official after the win over South Africa
- Kusi along with her MVP after the win over South Africa
