Ghana’s Black Queens have secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations following a decisive victory over Tanzania in their final group stage match on Monday evening.
Princella Adubea opened the scoring for Ghana with an early strike after a lively start by the Black Queens, but Tanzania responded through Stumai Abdallah to draw level. Alice Kusi restored Ghana’s lead from the penalty spot, before late goals from Evelyn Badu and Chantelle Hlorkah wrapped up a commanding victory for the West Africans.
Knowing that only a win would guarantee their place in the competition, the Black Queens approached the match with urgency, applying early pressure to assert their dominance from the outset.
The Black Queens’ early pressure yielded results in the 12th minute when a misplaced clearance from the Tanzanian goalkeeper fell kindly to Princella Adubea, who calmly slotted home the opener.
However, Ghana’s momentum dipped late in the first half as a poorly cleared free-kick allowed Stumai Abdallah to capitalize, drawing Tanzania level with a well-taken strike.
The Black Queens regained control after the break, with Princess Marfo proving a constant threat to the Tanzanian backline. The Bay FC forward was brought down in the box midway through the second half, allowing Alice Kusi to calmly convert from the penalty spot.
Ghana’s dominance continued as second-half substitute Evelyn Badu added a third, pouncing on a loose ball after Grace Nyamekye’s well-delivered free-kick caused confusion in the Tanzanian area.
The Black Queens capped off a dominant performance as Chantelle Boye Hlorkah curled in a stunning effort in the final minute to seal the victory in style.
Up next, Ghana will take on Algeria in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Christian Kobby Quarshie
