As we settle down for a short interview, there are clear indications of how hectic the day has been for coach Yusif Basigi, who currently serves as the Head coach of Hasaacas Ladies and the Black Princesses of Ghana.
He had just returned to Takoradi from Accra on national duties and he was due for a meeting immediately after the interview before preparing Hasaacas Ladies for their match week 13 game in the Ghana Women’s League.
But if there is one man who is used to that stress from his years of experience, it has to be Yusif Basigi: a man who has dedicated almost his entire life to women’s football in Ghana.
In this exclusive interview, Yusif Basigi talks to us about how he developed interest in football and women’s coaching, the great and eternal bond between himself and Hasaacas Ladies and his status as a legend in the women’s game.
Despite the emotional demands that come with such hectic days, Coach Yusif Basigi did not fail to brighten up his face with a smile as he went down memory lane to recall how it all started for him as a footballing person.
It might not be a significant part of his life and his narrative but Coach Yusif Basigi had a short football career which served as a good foundation for his coaching career.
He played for Tamale Road Masters before moving abroad to play for Racin Club – Bobo in Burkina Faso.
Upon his return home, he pursued a career in teaching by attending Bagabaga training College and was later transferred to Takoradi as a teacher.
The change of scenery was quite pivotal: Yusif Basigi played for Police National in Takoradi, which will go on to mark his end to his career as a footballer and initiate his coaching path.
“When I was transferred to western region, I played for Police nationals for some time but because of my engagement in teaching, I could not really pursue the career very well,” he began the short narrative.
“But I realized that once I have the desire or interest in football and as a teacher I can divert it into coaching. So I went to the University of Education Winneba to do P.E (Physical Education), with coaching as the major although other disciplines were taught.
“Along the line I became the Shama Ahanta district school regional coach for the boys before becoming a female coach when I went to secondary school. That was in 2003.
“So from there I realized that I was doing well because I won the maiden edition of the regional championship in Ho with the girls team. When we returned, Hasaacas Ladies was formed and most of the players I took to the tournament were from the team and so I was recommended to the director.
“I accepted the job and I have been a part of the team from 2003 till date.”
His decision to get into women’s coaching has certainly been of immense benefit to the country and the Hasaacas Ladies.
In relation to the former, he has achieved some honorable feat including winning gold for Black Queens at the 2015 All African Games Competition in Congo Brazzaville.
Yusif Basigi was also in charge when the Black Princesses qualified for the Women’s 2018 U-20 World Cup in France and was also crowned as the Coach of the year in 2015 by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana.
While he has contributed his quota to developing women’s football in Ghana, Hasaacas Ladies have arguably been the major beneficiaries of his rise.
He is undoubtedly one of the great influencers who has helped the club achieved greater heights and attain the status as the best women’s football club in the country, winning them the National Women’s League 2011/2012 and 2013/2014, Victoria Gasteiz cup in Spain in 2009 as well as the Kassel-Vellma tournament in Frankfort Germany in 2006.
And it is a club that he admits to having an eternal bond with.
Asked about his relationship with Hasaacas Ladies, he shortly replies:
“I’m even a shareholder of Hasaacas ladies so with that bond it is eternal. I have developed the interest and the club has also keep me on board.”
With such longevity and success, therefore, it will come as no surprise for the man to be classified as legend and the greatest coach the country has ever had in terms of women’s coach.
Although he immediately declines the opportunity to engage in that conversation, he could not avoid making a case for himself.
“Well that is for the people to decide,” he indicates.
“But I can see and feel my impact when we talk about women’s football in Ghana and in Africa because some of my colleagues (coaches) I worked against in qualifiers have stopped working and it is left with me.
“So yes for me I see it as such but just as I said, it is for the individuals or for the people to adjudge.”
Perhaps as the game continues to grow on the continent, Basigi’s commitment and dedication will serve as a motivation to many others to take up the opportunity to develop our ladies game.
But the man himself warns that coaching a female side is as difficult as coaching the opposite gender, and should not be taken for granted.
“In fact there is much more to it ( coaching women’s football) than the men. It is much difficult than the men. So it is more tasking.
“There are tactical and coordination aspect and they are different. You need to continuously develop their technique.
“Not just for the juvenile side but also on the higher level even with the Black Queens. You need to consistently develop.
“Because they did not start as footballers but they learnt to be footballers.”
