The Black Queens of Ghana earned a deserved lone goal victory over Algeria in the opening match of the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.
The Queens started on a positive note and manage to grab the opener on the 12 minute mark, through right-back Gladys Amfobea.
This was before winger Sherifatu Sumaila nearly opened the score for the Black Queens of Ghana on the 8th minute, as her strike was fisted out by goalkeeper Kahina Takenint.
Later on, Algeria’s Lydia Belkacemi failed to connect a cross from her teammate Ramdani on the 23rd minute of the game, whilst Linda Eshun could have doubled the score on the half hour-mark with a header from a well taken free-kick by Priscilla Okyere, but it went wide.
Read: AWCON 2018: Akufo-Addo wants Black Queens to win trophy
Goalkeeper Patricia Martey, however made two brilliant saves on the stroke of halftime to prevent the Algerians from leveling the scores as the first department ended in a 1-0 victory in favor of Ghana.
Back from recess, Coach Bashir Hayford charges continued dominating the match, but failed to double the score.
On the 50th minute, Portia Boakye nearly extended the lead for the hosts from Sherifatu’s cross, but she was denied by goalkeeper Takenint.
Coach Bashir Hayford made two quick changes as he replaced Samira Suleman and Elizabeth Addo with Jane Ayieyam and Grace Asantewaa respectively.
Read: Black Queens attacker Priscilla Hagan to miss AWCON due to injury
Substitute Jane Ayieyam doubled the score for the Queens after tapping in a pass from Portia Boakye on the 69th minute but it was flagged offside by the referee, whilst Grace Asantewaa and Jane Ayieyam squandered scoring opportunities that came their way.
The Algerians failed to utilized the numerous set-pieces awarded to the in the second half as it ended in a 1-0 win for the Black Queens of Ghana.
source: Ghananewsagency.org