Hosts Ghana got their 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign off to the best possible start, beating Algeria by a lone goal Saturday afternoon.
The Black Queens gave off a commanding display of the strength, tenacity and good understanding as they controlled most parts of the game.
The atmosphere at the Accra Sports Stadium was electrifying as the home fateful cheered the Queens right from the blast of the whistle.
The stadium went gay and ablaze when the Queens opened the scoring capitalizing on some defensive mistake by the Algerians. Right-back Gladys Amfobea took advantage of a defensive lapse and punished the Algerians with a well-timed finish.
Ghana failed to make any more meaningful attempts at goal after the registering the opener even though they controlled the game.
The Algerians were relegated to the periphery as they only had glimpses of the goal without creating any clear cut opportunity.
The Black Queens continued from where they left off in the after the restart as they continued to mount pressure on the Algerians. The Queens laid siege on the Algerian goal but still couldn’t find the elusive cushioning goal.
The pendulum of the game momentarily swung into the favor of the Algerians as they now mounted pressure on the Queens’ goal.
Goalkeeper Patricia Mantey was called into action as she did brilliantly to stop Imene Merrouche’s goal bound effort from a dangerous free-kick. Imene Merrouche once again threatened the goal of the Queens with a solo effort after she picked the ball in her half. The forward was unable to complete her excellent run as she sent her final effort into the side netting.
Coach Bashir Hayford rang the changes and that turned the game back into the favor of the Ghanaians. Grace Asantewaa replaced Captain Elizabeth Addo and her introduction brought some life into the Queen’s team.
The 17-year-old did brilliantly to work the ball into the path of Jane Ayieyam but the forward wasted her effort. Ayieyam however thought she had found the cushioning goal after she finished off Grace Asantewaa’s cross but the flag was up for offside.
Ghana continually mounted pressure on the Algerians but still couldn’t find the second goal.
Referee Lidya Abebe Tafesse from Ethiopia finally brought proceedings to an end as the Queen’s couldn’t find that elusive cushioning goal even though for majority of the game they were in control.
The Black Queens come up against Mali on Wednesday in what will be the second group game of Group A.
📽 HIGHLIGHTS .. Ghana 1-0 Algeria
Group A #TotalAWCON18 pic.twitter.com/dWQ7nz9YCV— Total Women's Africa Cup of Nations (@CAF_AWCON) November 17, 2018
Line-ups:
Ghana XI (4-4-2)
Patricia Mantey – Gladys Amfobea, Linda Eshun, Janet Egyir, Faustina Ampah – Priscilla Okyere, Juliet Acheampong, Sherifatu Sumaila, Portia Boakye/81’ Alice Kusi – Samira Suleman/58’ Jane Ayieyam, Elizabeth Addo/61’ Grace Asantewaa
Unused Subs:
Fafali Dumahisi, Ellen Coleman, Cynthia Adobea, Mary Essiful, Nana Ama Asantewaa, Phlicity Asuako, Lily Niber Lawrence
Algeria XI (4-3-3)
Kahina Takenint – Morgane Belkhiter, Isma Ouadah, Fatima Sekouane, Habiba Sadou – Myriam Benlazar/79’ Djamila Marek, Lydia Belkacemi, Fethia Bekhedda – Amina Hemour/27’ Imene Merrouche, Ines Boutaleb, Madina Ramdani/49’ Assia Sidhoum
Unused Subs:
Lina Khelif, Chahrazed Bensekrane, Fedoul Nadjet, Imane Chebel, Zeyneb Kandouci, Fatima Beladgham
