Hosts Ghana failed to get out of their group at the 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after drawing 1-1 with Cameroon in the final round of fixtures Friday evening.
The Black Queens finished third in Group A with four points behind Mali who clawed back twice to defeat Algeria 3-2 in the other group fixture played simultaneously at Cape Coast.
Les Lionnes Indomptables topped the group unbeaten with seven points.
Ghana, as usual at the 11th edition of the Women’s Afcon, bossed possession from start but struggled to create clear-cut chances to make it count where it mattered most.
The Black Queens began stretching their limbs after the opening 10 minutes with skipper Elizabeth Addo and Grace Asantewaa taking turns to fire from range but their efforts flew just wide.
Addo came close to scoring in the 29th minute when her cross cum shot hit the upright for a goal kick.
But two minutes later, the deadlock was broken through Portia Boakye. The winger who was deployed at left-back saw her free-kick effort from the left completely misjudged by the Cameroon goalkeeper with an untimely jump with the ball freely flying into the net.
Ghana, after the opener, had seemingly upped their momentum and looked to get another goal but got completely deflated four minutes from halftime break when goalkeeper Nana Ama Asantewaa miscalculated her moves to hack down Gabrielle Onguene in the box.
Referee from Mauritius, Maria Rivet, rightly pointed to the spot for Manie Christine to step up and convert the penalty.
The second half, though action-packed, produced though further goals for the game to end 1-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Ghana, thus, get bundled out with Cameroon and Mali advancing into the last four of the competition scheduled to start on November 27.
Group A toppers Cameroon will next face the second-placed team from Group B while Mali await the team to top Group B.
