Sherifatu Sumaila

Sherifatu Sumaila (born 30 November 1996) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and a attacker for Spanish Primera Federación club Rayo Vallecano. She previously played for Djurgården. She is also a former player for USA United Women's Soccer side LA Galaxy Orange County. Sherifatu is a member of the Ghana women's national football team, the Black Queens. Sherifatu made her debut for the national U17 squad, Black Maidens, in 2010 to begin representing Ghana.She played a significant role in the Black Maidens team's bronze-winning performance in the 2012 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup. Quotes We’ve worked so hard, and now we’re just one step away from the final. That means everything. Some of the younger players bring so much energy to the team. It lifts us. We the older players try to guide them and keep the team strong. It was always my dream to play in these kinds of games. But due to some reasons, I haven’t had the chance to be on the field as much as I wanted. Still, I’m supporting the team in every way I can. We trust our coach. He’s given us a clear game plan, and all we have to do is to follow it and give everything we’ve got. We know what this game means. We are hopeful. We’ve prepared well. Tomorrow, we’ll give it our all. Sherifatu Sumaila: “We Know What This Game Means — We’ll Give It Our All” Africa Top Sports (22 July 2025) Getting to this stage of the tournament is a big deal, not just for us as players but for the entire country. Black Queens midfielder Sherifatu Sumaila says team is ready to fight for final spot Ghana Football Association (retrieved 25 November 2025) I’ve been through a lot going to school in a foreign country. Had to do jobs on the side to pay for my expenses. In the end it was really worth it. I started getting interest in soccer since I was little. I would say I was about 4. I developed interest by following my two brothers around. They played street soccer all the time and I would follow them out and be a ball girl. But it all changed, one day they were one play short and they put me in to make up the number. Though all I did was run around, it was fun. It didn’t stop there. They continued whenever they were a player short. I played street soccer until middle school. I didn’t necessarily choose soccer. I just accidentally started playing and with time I was actually good at it. So I kept going. Never been interested in any other sports. My parents were really supportive. My parents are very educated so they know the value of combining education with sports. My dad bought all the necessary things I needed to play. Ummm I think you need to be willing to learn, be positive, most of of all be persistent and don’t give up easily, you have to be coachable and not complacent, be humble and listen to good advice from your coaches and experienced players. I think that’s it. Yes, the challenges I faced was being called names in my community. Names like, manwoman, boygirl and even a prostitute. And there are a lot of misconceptions about female athletes. That you won’t be able to give birth and finding a husband would be difficult. But am glad that people’s perception is changing everyday about women in sport’s. Sherifatu Sumaila On The Flashback Show Noble (4 December 2020) External links Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Ghana Category:Women in sports Category:Football (soccer) players Category:Women born in the 1990s Category:1996 births Category:Women from Ghana