Ghana’s U-20 womens team, the Black Princesses, defeated arch rivals Nigeria 2-1 to secured the country’s 11th gold medal at the ongoing African Games at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Thursday night.
The Princesses came-from-behind to win the game In A spectacular manner in extra time after the Nigerians had taken the lead through forward Edeh.
The Ghanaians fell behind early on when goalkeeper Afi Amenyeku fumbled a harmless ball in the penalty box, which allowed Edeh Njideka to pounce on the loose ball to fire Nigeria ahead in the 23rd minute.
But the Princesses showed great spirit and determination after going behind and was the better side for the rest of the first half where they created good opportunities but failed to convert any of them.
Cheered on by a roaring capacity crowd in Cape Coast, Yussif Basigi’s girls efforts finally yielded fruits in the 77th minute when Tracy Twum fired into the roof of the net after finding space on the left flank to level the game.
Neither side found a winner in regulation time and the game headed for extra time.
Mukarama Abdulai scored the winner in the 109th minute of extra time, when she controlled a beautiful pass inside the area before firing a low drive into the bottom corner.
Despite late pressure from the Super Falconets who were looking for the equalizer, the Princesses held on for the win.
It is Ghana’s second gold medal in the women’s football event in the African Games, having also won gold in the 2015 edition, that time, the team was also coached by the same man, Yussif Basigi.
Frederick Marfo is a sportswriter and social worker well known for his advocacy for equal chances and rights for all athletes, especially those with disabilities.
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