Ghana draw 1-1 with Ivory Coast away in the first leg game of the first round fixture of the 6th Africa Women Championship.

The winner over the two-leg playoff tie qualifies for the championship.

Playing on an artificial pitch at the Stade Du Robert Champroux de Marcory, Ghana jumped into the lead in the first half as a hostile home crowd rallied the Ivorians on from the start of the game.

Gloria Oforiwaa opened the game’s scoring when she put Ghana in the lead before the 20th minute mark. But fifteen minute from time, the home team’s efforts were rewarded as the Ivorians found the equalizer.

The Ivorians fielding two foreign-based players from France tested Ghana goalkeeper, Memunatu Suleimana on some three occasions after the equalizer but experienced goalkeeper expertly dealt with all their goal attempts as the game neared the closing stages.

The return clash would be in Accra on March 8 as Ghana attempts to secure a place in the finals of the 6th Africa Women Championship to be hosted by Equatorial Guinea later this year.