The Black Princesses of Ghana beat the Terranga Lionesses of Senegal 3-1 at the Cape Coast stadium on Monday, 18th March, 2024 to book a spot in the women’s football competition of the ongoing African games.
The Black Princesses of Ghana topped their group with seven points and needed to respond well in the semi-final after playing out a 1-all draw with Uganda in their last group-stage match.
Ghana started the game on the front foot and it did not take them long to break the deadlock as Tracy Twum scored her second goal of the tournament to give Ghana the lead in the 18th minute of the game.
Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah doubled the lead in the dying embers of the first half with a cheeky effort from a swift counterattack, beating the Senegalese goalkeeper to make it 2-0 at the break.
The Terranga Lioness were given a lifeline minutes into the second half as Kande Rokyhatou scored from 12 yards after they were awarded a penalty in the 54th minute of the game.
Their effort to level up things was shattered immediately as the two-goal lead was restored after Ophelia Amponsah scored her second of the night from a rebound, which she comfortably slotted into the net in the 55th minute of the game.
The head coach of the Black Princesses, coach Yussif Bassigi could not hide his joy in his post match conference. However, the veteran gaffer cautioned the camaraderie between the two nations [Ghana and Nigeria] must be on halt as they both shrug it out for the ultimate in Thursday’s final.
“Playing against Nigeria is a nice feeling. You know, when it comes to Ghana and Nigeria of the pitch, we are best friends. We are the best brothers and sisters. And when it comes to the game proper, it’s a different board game altogether. Yes, we watch them play, they also watch us play, and Nigeria would not like to lose to us for a second time running. And we also want to consolidate our dominance. So it’s going to be a cracker.
I know it is going to be a very tough game. So I think that at the end of the day, we shall see what happens”
The win against Senegal sees the Black Princesses advance to the final with an opportunity to fight for a gold medal against the Falconets of Nigeria, a team they beat in the final of the West African Football Union B U-20 Cup last year at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
The final is set for Thursday, March 21, at the Cape Coast Stadium.
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Story by: Rabbi Adu Agyei| univers.ug.edu.gh
