Yusif Basigi

Yusif Basigi was born on 1 March 1972 in Daboya within the Savannah region of Ghana.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=20 January 2020|title=Profile of National Team Coaches: Yusif Basigi|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/profile-of-national-team-coaches-yusif-basigi|access-date=12 April 2021|website=|publisher=Ghana Football Association|language=en}} He is a trained teacher and has a diploma in Education from the Bagabaga Teacher Training College. He also holds a bachelor's degree in Health, Physical Training and Recreation from the University of Education, Winneba.

He has since then been working as a Physical Education (PE) instructor rising to become the PE coordinator for the Shama District in the Western Region since 2008. In 2004 and 2005, he led the Western Region to win the second cycle regional girls soccer competition. He was awarded as the Western Region most outstanding coach and Western Region coach of the year in 2007 and 2013 respectively. His service and role in the development and promotion of girls' soccer in Western Region Schools Sports Federation, he was honoured by the Ghana Education Service.

Basigi developed the interest for football at a tender age, but started playing professionally as a left-winger with Tamale Road Masters a former lower-tier side in Northern Region of Ghana. He moved abroad to play for RC Bobo Dioulasso in Burkina Faso and later returned Ghana to play for Police National in Takoradi.

In 2003, Basigi started taking his coaching badges during GFA president Ben Koufie's 5-year football development plan which involved development of coaches. He went through the ranks attending basic coaching training courses and seminars to earn his coaching licenses, CAF Licence ‘C’, ‘B’ and ‘A’. He has had coaching attachment ZFK Napredak Krusevac, Serbia and ATS Buntentor e.V. at Bremen, Germany. In May 2019, he went on a coaching internship program at the Pick Up Academy at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in England.{{Cite web|last=Darkwah|first=Frank|date=21 May 2019|title=Sekondi Hasaacas Technical Director Yusif Basigi embarks on internship program in UK|url=https://ghanasportsonline.com/2019/05/sekondi-hasaacas-technical-director-yusif-basigi-embarks-on-internship-program-in-uk/|access-date=14 November 2021|website=Ghana Sports Online}}

Basigi was a technical member of Sekondi Hasaacas. He was part of the team in 2013 when they gained promotion to the Ghana Premier League. He was also the head coach of Sekondi Hasaacas' second and youth team Malavands.{{Cite web|date=12 May 2019|title=Basigi accepts internship at Crystal Palace's Annex|url=https://www.sekondihasaacasfc.com/basigi-accepts-internship-at-crystal-palaces-annex|access-date=14 November 2021|website=Sekondi Hasaacas Football Club|language=en-US}} In October 2013, he replaced Kobina Amissah as the head coach of the senior team.{{Cite web|date=21 October 2013|title=Ghana Premier League side Hasaacas ask coach to proceed on leave|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/ghana-premier-league-side-hasaacas-ask-coach-proceed-leave|access-date=14 November 2021|website=GhanaSoccernet}} He led the team to a seventh-place finish at the end of both the 2013–14 and 2015 seasons. He stepped down in October 2016 after the team were relegated in the 2016 season to the Division One League.{{Cite web|date=12 October 2016|title=Yusif Basigi steps down as head coach of Hasaacas|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Yusif-Basigi-steps-down-as-head-coach-of-Hasaacas-476901|access-date=14 November 2021|website=GhanaWeb}} He has since then been serving as the technical director for the entire Sekondi Hasaacas brand doubling as the head coach of the female side, Hasaacas Ladies.{{Cite web|last=Ashietey|first=Isaac|date=29 June 2020|title=Yusif Basigi promises Premiership action for Sekondi-Takoradi|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/football/yusif-basigi-promises-premiership-action-for-sekondi-takoradi.html|access-date=14 November 2021|website=Graphic Online}}

In 2013, Basigi led Hasaacas Ladies to win the inaugural Ghana Women's Premier League title after winning the Southern Zone league and beating Fabulous Ladies by 2–1 in the championship final through a brace from Jennifer Cudjoe.{{Cite web|last=Anaman|first=Fiifi|date=8 April 2013|title=History in the making – Hasaacas Ladies become Ghana's first ever National Women's League Champions|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4375/comment/2013/04/08/3888331/history-in-the-making-hasaacas-ladies-become-ghanas-first|access-date=13 November 2021|website=Goal}} The following year he led the team to win the Premier League again, beating Fabulous Ladies via a 5–3 penalty shootout in the final after the scores remained goalless in extra time.{{Cite web|date=1 June 2014|title=Fabulous fail to find their spot as Hasaacas retain title {{!}} Womens League|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/fabulous-fail-to-find-their-spot-as-hasaacas-retain-title|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811185911/http://www.ghanafa.org/pages/womensleague/201406/9607.php|archive-date=11 August 2014|access-date=13 November 2013|website=|publisher=Ghana Football Association}} In December 2015, he led the team to their third consecutive league title this time around beating Northern Zone champions Ampem Darkoa Ladies by a lone goal courtesy Samira Suleman in the 66th minute.{{Cite web|date=27 December 2015|title=PHOTOS: National Women's Championship final between Hasaacas Ladies and Ampem Darkoah Ladies|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/photos-national-womens-championship-final-between-hasaacas-ladies-and-ampem-darkoah-ladies|access-date=13 November 2021|website=GhanaSoccernet|language=}} In the 2015–16 season, Hasaacas Ladies finished in Southern Zone in first place and qualified for the championship final against Ampem Darkoa Ladies. They however lost in the final by a lone goal scored by Grace Asantewaa via direct free kick, ending the Hasmals three year dominance.{{Cite web|title=National Women's League: Ampem Darkoa beat Hasaacas Ladies to win league|url=https://www.modernghana.com/sports/717247/national-womens-league-ampem-darkoa-beat-hasaaca.html|access-date=2021-11-13|website=Modern Ghana|language=en}}

Hasaacas's league form during the 2017 season was not as impressive as in the previous campaigns with the club finishing in fifth place in the Southern Zone league losing out on qualifying for the championship final for the first time in the league's history.{{Cite web|title=Lady Strikers, Ampem Darkoa For Final - Real Upper, Holy Royals Suffer Relegation|url=https://www.modernghana.com/sports/803452/lady-strikers-ampem-darkoa-for-final-real-upper.html|access-date=2021-11-14|website=Modern Ghana|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Ghana (Women) 2017|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesg/gha-wom2017.html|access-date=14 November 2021|website=RSSSF}}

Between 2011 and 2013, he served as the assistant coach of the Ghana women's national football team under Kuuku Dadzie. In 2013, Dadzie was sacked and he was appointed as the head coach of the team. Ghana qualified for the 2014 African Women's Championship in Namibia on 8 June 2014, with a 5–0 aggregate win over Ethiopia. After a loss to Algeria,{{Cite web|title=Make or break for Black Queens as they line up against South Africa at 2014 AWC {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4389/ghanaian-football/2014/10/15/5186950/make-or-break-for-black-queens-as-they-line-up-against-south|access-date=2021-11-12|website=www.goal.com}} a draw against South Africa and a win against Cameroon, Basigi's side finished the group stage in third place, on points with South Africa, with South Africa qualifying to the next stage due to a better goal difference.{{Cite web|last=Atipaga|first=Umar-Farouk|date=18 October 2014|title=Ghana kicked out of 2014 AWC despite 1-0 win over Cameroon|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4389/ghanaian-football/2014/10/18/5245531/ghana-kicked-out-of-2014-awc-despite-1-0-win-over-cameroon|access-date=11 November 2021|website=Goal}} In March 2015, Ghana qualified for the 2015 African Games after defeating Zimbabwe by 4–3 aggregate score line in the final round of the qualifiers.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=13 April 2015|title=Meteors, Queens seal All Africa Games qualification|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/meteors-queens-seal-all-africa-games-qualification|access-date=12 November 2021|website=|publisher=Ghana Football Association}} Ghana once again finished on the same points with South Africa. The two teams were tied on points, head-to-head record, total goal difference and total goals scored, due to that lots were drawn to determine the who qualifies to the next stage,{{Cite web|last=Football|first=CAF-Confedération Africaine du|title=Drawing of lots to decide between Ghana and South Africa|url=https://www.cafonline.com/news-center/news/drawing-of-lots-to-decide-between-ghana-and-south-africa|access-date=2021-11-13|website=CAFOnline.com|language=en}} which Ghana won.{{Cite web|last=Owusu|first=Benedict|last2=Addo Jnr|first2=George|last3=Al-Smith|first3=Gary|last4=Acheampong|first4=Immortal Agyakwah|date=20 September 2015|title=ANALYSIS: Why, how Ghana won 19 medals at 2015 All Africa Games|url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/analysis-why-how-ghana-won-19-medals-at-2015-all-africa-games/|access-date=13 November 2021|website=My Joy Online}} Ghana went on to win against Ivory Coast in semi-finals via 15th-minute goal by Samira Suleman and reached the final of the Football at the African Games for the second consecutive time.{{Cite web|date=15 September 2015|title=Black Queens through to finals of 2015 All Africa Games following win over Ivory Coast|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/black-queens-through-to-finals-of-2015-all-africa-games-following-win-over-ivory-coast|access-date=13 November 2021|website=GhanaSoccernet}} In the final at Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat, Brazzaville, a late 88th-minute goal from striker Portia Boakye saw Ghana win by 1–0 against Cameroon, serving as a revenge after losing to the Indomitable Lionesses in the 2011 edition and winning the title for the first time in Ghana's history.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=18 September 2015|title=Late Boakye stunner gives Ghana gold|url=https://www.cafonline.com/news-center/news/late-boakye-stunner-gives-ghana-gold|access-date=13 November 2021|website=CAFOnline.com|publisher=Confedération Africaine du Football (CAF)|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Shardow|first=Ameenu|date=18 September 2015|title=Black Queens beat Cameroon to win AAG gold - 2015 All Africa Games - Women - Ghana - Women|url=https://africanfootball.com/news/568753/Black-Queens-beat-Cameroon-to-win-AAG-gold|access-date=13 November 2021|website=African Football}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=18 September 2015 |title=Black Queens win Gold at 2015 All Africa Games |url=https://www.ghanafa.org/black-queens-win-gold-at-2015-all-africa-games |access-date=13 November 2021 |website= |publisher=Ghana Football Association}}

Following their 2015 African Games victory, Basigi led Ghana to qualify for the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations after beating Tunisia 6–1 on aggregate in the final qualifying round.{{Cite web|last=Muisyo|first=Victor|date=13 April 2016|title=Women Nations Cup: Eight teams qualify, Kenya to make maiden appearance|url=https://www.africanews.com/2016/04/13/women-nations-cup-eight-teams-qualify-kenya-to-make-maiden-appearance/|access-date=13 November 2021|website=Africanews}}{{Cite news|date=13 April 2016|title=African women's finals line-up complete|work=BBC Sport|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|department=BBC Sport Africa|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36010193|access-date=13 November 2021}} Basigi felt that his side were one of the favorites to lift the trophy.{{Cite web|date=20 November 2016|title=Black Queens are favourites for African Women's Cup of Nations title- Basigi|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/black-queens-are-favourites-for-african-women-cup-of-nations-title-basigi|access-date=13 November 2021|website=GhanaSoccernet}} At the competition, Ghana finished as runners-up of Group B which included West African counterparts Nigeria and Mali along with debutants Kenya. The team beat Kenya by 3–1 in their first group match,{{Cite web|last=Teye|first=Prince Narkortu|date=20 November 2016|title=Ghana 3-1 Kenya: Black Queens begin women Afcon on high {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/24922/ghana-womens-football/2016/11/21/29728812/ghana-3-1-kenya-black-queens-begin-women-afcon-on-high|access-date=13 November 2021|website=Goal}}{{Cite web|last=Sienu|first=Sheikh Tophic|date=20 November 2016|title=2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations: Black Queens off to a flying start with 3-1 win over Kenya|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/2016-africa-women-cup-of-nations-black-queens-off-to-a-flying-start-with-3-1-win-over-kenya|access-date=13 November 2021|website=GhanaSoccernet}} drew 1–1 against rivals Nigeria{{Cite news|date=23 November 2016|title=Nigeria frustrated by Ghana comeback|work=BBC Sport|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38084975|access-date=13 November 2021}} and won by 3–1 against Mali in their final group match to finish on 7 points, level with group winners Nigeria to qualify to the semi-finals.{{Cite news|last=Cavell|first=Nick|date=26 November 2016|title=Nigeria and Ghana claim semi-final berths|work=BBC Sport|publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation|department=BBC Africa sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38118438|access-date=13 November 2021}}{{Cite web|last=Pavitt|first=Michael|date=26 November 2016|title=Nigeria and Ghana secure Africa Women Cup of Nations semi-finals spots|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1044103/nigeria-and-ghana-secure-africa-women-cup-of-nations-semi-finals-spots|access-date=13 November 2021|website=Inside The Game}}

In the semi-finals, Ghana lost to Cameroon by a lone-goal from Raissa Feudjio.{{Cite web|last=Etchells|first=Daniel|date=29 November 2016|title=Hosts Cameroon through to Africa Women Cup of Nations final|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1044210/hosts-cameroon-through-to-africa-women-cup-of-nations-final|access-date=13 November 2021|website=Inside The Games}} Following a 1–0 victory over South Africa in the third place play-off via a 49th-minute header from defender Linda Eshun, Ghana ended the Africa Women Cup of Nations in third place, their first medal since finishing as runners-up in 2006.{{Cite web|last=Winters|first=Max|date=2 December 2016|title=Ghana defeat South Africa to claim Africa Women Cup of Nations bronze medal|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1044334/ghana-defeat-south-africa-to-claim-africa-women-cup-of-nations-bronze-medal|access-date=13 October 2021|website=Inside The Games}} In May 2017, Basigi was replaced by Mas-Ud Didi Dramani after 5 years in charge.{{Cite web|date=18 May 2017|title=Didi Dramani replaces Yusif Basigi as Black Queens coach|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Didi-Dramani-replaces-Yusif-Basigi-as-Black-Queens-coach-538914|access-date=13 November 2021|website=GhanaWeb}}

Basigi was assigned to the Ghana women's national under-20 football team in July 2017, ahead of the 2018 African U-20 Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament.{{Cite web|date=23 July 2017|title=Yusif Basigi appointed Black Princesses coach|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/yusif-basigi-appointed-black-princesses-coach|access-date=13 November 2021|website=GhanaSoccernet}} He led Ghana to win all their matches to qualify for the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup with Princella Adubea finishing the tournament as top goalscorer with 10 goals. During the competition, Ghana struggled to score after Adubea suffered an injury ahead of the competition and were eliminated from the group stages after they finished Group A in third place with three points only winning against New Zealand. The team had future senior players including Ernestina Abambila and Sandra Owusu-Ansah who was their captain.{{Cite news|last=Okeleji|first=Oluwashina|date=27 July 2018|title=African duo name U-20 Women's World Cup squads|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44981008|access-date=3 August 2021}}{{Cite web|date=10 August 2018|title=Owusu-Ansah and Ghana not giving up the fight|url=https://fifa.com/|access-date=2021-08-03|website=fifa.com|publisher=FIFA|language=en}} On 2 January 2020, the Ghana Football Association dissolved all technical teams of all the national team causing Basigi to lose his role as the head coach of the Black Princesses. However, after 12 days, on 14 January 2020, he was reappointed as the head coach of the team,{{Cite web|last=Teye|first=Prince Narkortu|date=14 January 2020|title=Tagoe-Quarcoo returns as Ghana women's coach, Basigi takes over U20s|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/tagoe-quarcoo-returns-as-ghana-womens-coach-basigi-takes/159g3xxqzshdk1p81mu7kuxhmk|access-date=12 April 2021|website=Goal}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=14 January 2020|title=Yusif Bassigi appointed as Black Princesses Head Coach|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/yusif-bassigi-appointed-as-black-princesses-head-coach|access-date=12 April 2021|website=|publisher=Ghana Football Association}}{{Cite web|last=Kwafo|first=Eric Nana Yaw|date=14 January 2020|title=GFA Names Yusif Bassigi Appointed As New Black Princesses Head Coach|url=https://www.modernghana.com/sports/979040/gfa-names-yusif-bassigi-appointed-as-new-black.html|access-date=12 April 2021|website=Modern Ghana|language=en}} returning to coach the side after serving as the manager for the team in 2017 to 2020 qualifying them and coaching them for the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.{{Cite web|date=2018-07-26|title=Black Princesses Coach Yussif Basigi names squad for FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/black-princesses-coach-yussif-basigi-names-squad-for-fifa-u-20-womens-world-cup|access-date=12 April 2021|website=GhanaSoccernet|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Osman|first=Abdul Wadudu|date=26 July 2018|title=Basigi names squad for Women U20 World Cup|url=https://footballmadeinghana.com/2018/07/26/basigi-names-squad-for-women-u20-world-cup/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412140334/https://footballmadeinghana.com/2018/07/26/basigi-names-squad-for-women-u20-world-cup/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=12 April 2021|access-date=12 April 2021|website=Football Made In Ghana|language=en-US}}

In May 2021, he was appointed as the assistant coach of the Ghana national under-23 football team, assisting Paa Kwesi Fabin along with Godwin Attram.{{Cite web|last=Association|first=Ghana Football|title=Samuel Kwasi Fabin clings to Black Meteors coaching job|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/samuel-kwasi-fabin-clings-to-black-meteors-coaching-job|access-date=2021-06-06|website=www.ghanafa.org|language=en}}

On 14 December 2022, the Ghana FA announced the re-appointment of Yusif Basigi as the head coach of the Ghana Women's U20 national team to be assisted by Nana A. Adarkwa and Anita Wiredu-Minta.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Yusif Basigi takes charge of Black Princesses |url=https://www.ghanafa.org/yusif-basigi-takes-charge-of-black-princesses |access-date=2023-01-18 |publisher=Ghana Football Association |language=en}}

Basigi is married and has 3 children. In 2016, Basigi likened himself to former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger because of his expertise to develop promising talents in Ghana just Wenger developed youngsters over the course of his coaching career. In a statement to SportsCrusader, a news outlet in Ghana he refereed himself as the Arsene Wenger of Ghana.{{Cite web|date=1 September 2016|title=Hasaacas coach Yusif Basigi 'boasts' he is Ghana's version of Arsene Wenger|url=https://www.modernghana.com/sports/590989/hasaacas-coach-yusif-basigi-boasts-he-is-ghanas.html|access-date=15 November 2021|website=Modern Ghana}}

Hasaacas Ladies

• Ghana Women's Premier League (GWPL): 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2020–21{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=4 July 2021|title=Match Report: Hasaacas Ladies beat Ampem Darkoa to lift Premier League title|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/match-report-hasaacas-ladies-beat-ampem-darkoa-to-lift-premier-league-title|access-date=29 June 2021|website=|publisher=Ghana Football Association}}
• Ghana Women's Special Competition: 2019{{Cite web|date=2019-04-15|title=Hasaacas Ladies win the Normalization Committee's women's special competition|url=https://www.happyghana.com/hasaacas-ladies-win-the-normalization-committees-womens-special-competition/|access-date=2021-06-01|website=Happy Ghana|language=en-US}}
• Ghana Women's FA Cup: 2021{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=4 July 2021|title=Hasaacas Ladies beat Ampem Darkoa Ladies to seal an historic double|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/hasaacas-ladies-beat-ampem-darkoa-ladies-to-seal-an-historic-double|access-date=7 July 2021|website=|publisher=Ghana Football Association}}
• WAFU Zone B Tournament: 2021{{Cite web|last=Yeboah|first=Isaac|date=5 August 2021|title=Hasaacas Ladies win WAFU Zone B tournament|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/sports/sports-news/hasaacas-ladies-win-wafu-zone-b-tournament.html|access-date=13 October 2021|website=Graphic Online|publisher=Graphic Communications Group Limited}}

Ghana Women U20

• WAFU Zone B U20 Women's Cup: 2023{{Cite web |date=4 June 2023 |title=Ghana triumphs over Nigeria to win WAFU B U-20 Girls Cup |url=https://www.cafonline.com/womens-football/news/ghana-triumphs-over-nigeria-to-win-wafu-b-u-20-girls-cup/ |access-date=26 July 2023 |website=CAF |language=en-GB}}

Ghana Women

• All-Africa Games: 2015
• Africa Women Cup of Nations third place: 2016

Individual

• SWAG Coach of the Year: 2015{{Cite web|date=2016-06-07|title=Sorrowful Yusif Basigi dedicates SWAG Coach of the Year Award to late mum|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/sorrowful-yusif-basigi-dedicates-coach-of-the-year-award-to-late-mum|access-date=2021-07-07|website=GhanaSoccernet|language=en}}
• GWPL Coach of the Month: April 2021{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=24 May 2021|title=Yussif Basigi wins Nasco Coach of the month for April|url=https://www.ghanafa.org/yussif-basigi-wins-nasco-coach-of-the-month-for-april|access-date=26 June 2021|website=Ghana Football Association}}
• GWPL Coach of the Year: 2021
• Ghana Women's FA Cup Coach of the Year: 2021{{Cite web|last=Blay|first=Ben-oni|date=2021-07-03|title=Yusif Basigi named best coach of 2020/21 Women's FA Cup competition|url=https://footballmadeinghana.com/2021/07/03/yusif-basigi-named-best-coach-of-2020-21-womens-fa-cup-competition/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184732/https://footballmadeinghana.com/2021/07/03/yusif-basigi-named-best-coach-of-2020-21-womens-fa-cup-competition/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=9 July 2021|access-date=2021-07-07|website=Football Made In Ghana|language=en-US}}

• Evans Adotey

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{{Ghana squad 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations}}}}

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Category:1972 births

Category:Living people

Category:Ghanaian Muslims

Category:Ghanaian football managers

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Category:Ghana Premier League managers

Category:People from Northern Region (Ghana)

Category:Ghanaian expatriate men's footballers

Category:Ghana women's national football team managers

Category:RC Bobo Dioulasso players

Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in Burkina Faso

Category:Ghanaian men's footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards