Oaks Ladies FC, the women's team of Ghanaian giants Accra Hearts of Oak, was previously known as Nimobi Ladies. Competing in Zone B of the Women’s Division One League, Oaks FC is endowed with a wave of emerging talents, one of whom is Rosina Agblewornu.
It’s not uneasy for writers to be rendered bereft of superlatives and other apt descriptions to paint a vivid picturesque image of the astute defensive dynamo. Rosina Agblewornu’s blistering performances for Oaks FC, due to her tactical mindedness and ferocious tenacity and endurance, which is reminiscent of Millie Bright of England and Chelsea fame, helps in pulling down such hurdles.
Her dazzling performances have made her one of the most talked-about players in the Oaks FC setup. She is easily one of the first names on manager Mercy Tagoe Quarcoo’s teamsheet, thanks to the enviable rarity of her panache and the commanding presence she asserts in the defence. She controls and commands the defensive line, building a fortress that stands strong against opponents.
“I thank God for making me so because I never thought I will get to the place I am today. I feel very happy and feel blessed by the Almighty,” she told kickgh.com in an interview. “I don’t stress too much about what people think about me. I do things to make myself and the people around me happy.”
Against the backdrop of huge dosage of resentment and drawbacks that female football developments suffer in the country, Agblewornu is not the least perturbed and is very determined to fight to the very end. “It wasn’t easy growing up as a female footballer in my community,” she said.
” I was rejected by friends because they thought I was doing something odd but they understand me now and I am glad to have excelled in this endeavour,” she said without a scintilla of doubt or hesitation.”
Born in North Kaneshie, a suburb of Accra, Ghana’s capital, it was at school that her talent was first noted. By the age of ten she would go and play with her friends on the school’s football pitch for minutes, the only girl amongst a mass of young boys.
Even in the midst of the boys, Agblewornu did not disappoint, her pace, strength and technical skills that characterise her play now were immediately evident. People did not look kindly upon on a girl playing football with loads of boys but that didn’t deter young Agblewornu as she overcame the prejudice to achieve greatness.
Affectionately called ‘The Rock’ by her team mates and fans primarily plays as a centre-back and is occasionally shifted to the midfield to minimise the beatings doled by the opposing midfielders.
As the general captain of Oaks Ladies FC, Agblewornu made 15 appearances out of 16 in the 2023/24 football season and registered one assist. Oaks Ladies FC placed fourth at the end of the season with 25 points.
Agblewornu is a mature performer and leadership comes naturally to her. She executes her defensive and other assigned duties efficiently and effectively. Her playing style has won her more plaudits. She could become Ghana’s next Patricia Ofori given the way she approaches her defending: smooth, subtle and extremely stylish. Patricia Ofori of blessed memory is a Ghanaian legend and the fact that Agblewornu is being compared to her is a huge compliment.
Her ascent has been remarkable. She is physically strong, pacey and extremely good in the air, but also possesses technical skills on the ground. She’s incredibly gifted in possession and a key component in starting attacks from defence.
She’s shown the capability to play at full-back due to her speed, and also in defensive midfield given her ability on the ball. She excels well with the ball at her feet and also confident enough to play passes between the lines. Her composure is terrific- being naturally two-footed is another great quality, which is rather rare among stoppers of a gender and does score goals too.
Her reading of the game is so good that she can anticipate situations before they escalate but, if she does get into danger, she can always rely on her long stride to get her out of trouble.
National Team Dream
It is the dream of every footballer to don the colours of his or her country and represent ‘her’ globally and ‘The Rock’ is no exception. “I am really looking forward to representing my motherland on the international stage.”
“I will perfectly fit in the Black Maidens and the Black Princesses set up.” “It will be a dream come true if this becomes a reality and I pray the technical handlers grant me this opportunity.” She quipped.
With her technique, balance, goals, assists, composure, stamina, resilience and consistency, it will be a travesty beyond compare if Rosina ‘The Rock’ Agblewornu does not represent the country within the shortest possible time.
