The Black Queens of Ghana suffered a 2–0 defeat against the Lionesses of England in their first-ever encounter, played in Southampton as part of England’s Homecoming Series.
England took control from the opening minutes, pressing high and forcing early Ghanaian errors.
Within six minutes, a loose clearance fell to Lucia Kendall, who reacted quickest to score the opening goal.
Despite England’s dominance, the Black Queens remained resilient, thanks largely to goalkeeper Cynthia Findiib Konlan of Samartex Ladies.
Konlan, who has featured in four league matches and one FA Cup game this season, produced a series of crucial saves to keep Ghana competitive throughout the first half.
The second half saw England continue their attacks, hitting the woodwork and creating several opportunities, while Ghana struggled to threaten the English defence.
The match was finally sealed in stoppage time when a handball in the box awarded England a penalty, converted by Alessia Russo, ensuring a 2–0 victory.
Although the result did not go their way, the game provided Ghana with an important benchmark against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Konlan’s standout performance offered a bright spot for the Black Queens, demonstrating the value of such high-profile fixtures in accelerating player development and building team resilience.
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Story by Samuel Annang | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Erica Odeenyin Odoom
