France proved too strong for the Black Queens of Ghana Monday night as they battered them 8-0 in an international friendly in Reims.
The Ghana women’s team looked solid in the first half during which they even had a goal disallowed before conceding minutes to the break. However, it was capitulation time for the coach Didi Dramani girls in the second half as they let in seven more goals as a result of poor defending at the Stade Auguste Delaune.
After surviving early attacks from the hosts, the Black Queens took a shock lead in the 24th minute through an unmarked Jane Aiyeyam who headed down a cross from Priscilla Okyere but the goal was DISALLOWED. Replays later showed team mate and captain Elizabeth Addo who interfered with play had pushed a France defender.
In the 37th minute, France took the lead thanks to a fortuitous goal by Ouleyemata Sarr. After bridging the Ghana backline, her initial strike was blocked by an onrushing goalkeeper Patricia Mantey before the ball bounced off her body back into the net.
France led 1-0 at the break.
The second half was a striking contrast from the first. Ghana conceded goals in succession – first in the 46th minute, allowing Amandine Henry to hit home a volley from a corner kick routine. The France captain scored again in the 51st minute through a penalty conceded by Faustina Ampah.
Viviane Asseyi scored the fourth in the 58th minute. Then came the turn of Eugénie Le Sommer to register a quick-fire brace in the 68th and 70th minutes.
Asseyi returned to the scoresheet in the 76th minute with an absolute beauty – a scorpion kick goal before Valerie Gauvin completed the 8-goal haul in the 83rd minute.
Line-ups:
Ghana : Patricia Mantey (78’Nana Ama Asantewaa) – Ernestina Abambilla, Janet Egyir, Faustina Ampah, Portia Boakye – Juliet Acheampoing (55′ Peterson Kundok), Mary Essiful (87′ Ellen Coleman) – Priscilla Okyere, Lily Niber Lawrence, Elizabeth Addo (cap) – Jane Ayeyiam (Mukarama, 57′)
France : Gérard – Lorgeré (67’Marion Torrent), MBock, Georges, Cascarino – Bussaglia (83′ Diallo), Henry (cap), Le Garrec (68′ Valérie Gauvin), Catala (46′ Eugènie Le Sommer)- Asseyi, Sarr. Coach : Corinne Diacre. Banc : Sarah Bouhaddi, Elisa Launay, Hawa Cissoko, Kadidiatou Diani, Grace Geyoro, Ines Jaurena, Amel Majri, Wendie Renard
