Ghana’s Princesses beat Super Falcons of Nigeria to qualify for All Africa Games
Ghana’s Black Princesses posited a historic 2-1 victory over the Super Falcons of Nigeria on Sunday at the El-Wak Stadium, Accra to qualify for the 2011 All Africa Games.
The Princesses, Ghana’ U-20 side thus sealed their place at the African version of the Olympic Games on 3-2 aggregate after a 1-1 stalemate in the reverse fixture held a fortnight ago in Abuja, Nigeria.
Defender Rosemary Ampem’s winner from the spot in added-on time capped a historic victory for the Princesses over their bitterest rivals.
Nigeria, gold medal winners at the previous two editions of the All Africa Games in 2003 (Abuja) and 2007 (Algiers) were handed the shocking defeat by a determined Ghanaian youthful squad.
It would be the first time Nigeria, unarguably the dominant force on women’s football on the continent has failed to qualify for a major championship.
The Princesses came from behind to achieve a feat that will be the envy of their seniors, the Black Queens, who have played second fiddle to their Nigerian counterparts.
After a nervy start, the Super Falcons shot into the lead on eight minutes through reigning African Footballer of the Year, Perpetua Nkwocha, who volleyed in from close range, capitalising on a mix-up by the Ghanaian defenders.
Portia Boakye, the brightest spot in the Princesses set up, and one of three Black Queens players added to the squad, laid several raids upfront but were little enough to trouble the Falcons backline.
Nigeria, reigning African champions, appeared very ordinary and failed to make the most of the hosts’ slack in the early stages.
Ghana’s burly striker Faiza Ibrahim was a thorn in the flesh of the Nigerian defence, who heckled her on several occasions.
The Princesses were the brighter of the two teams in the early stages of the second half but survived Chukwudi Ogonna’s effort on 58 minutes which kissed the cross bar to safety.
The Ghanaians had to wait till the 67th minute when Ibrahim struck the equalizer with a shot that left Nigerian goalie Precious Dede with no effort.
The hosts controlled the game but lacked the cutting edge upfront while the Nigerians began to wear out.
On 83 minutes, the cross-bar came to the visitors rescue as Boakye’s free-kick crushed it with Dede completely beaten the second time but was lucky to miss target.
The winner finally came in added-on time when Ibrahim was fouled by the Nigerian goalie Dede during one of the raids upfront by the Princesses.
Central defender Ampem stepped up and shot past Dede, which made
the ecstatic partisan home crowd roar in response.
By the victory, the Princesses have booked their place for the eight-team tournament to be held from 3-18 September, 2011 in Maputo Mozambique.
Ghana were bronze winners at the last edition held in 2007 in Algeria.
Source: GNA