Ughelli, Delta State, Nov. 4, GNA 96 Ghana's Black Queens glided to the semi final stage of the African Women Championship (AWC) on Saturday after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-1 in their last group game played at the Ughelli Stadium.

The Queens survived an early scare by the Congolese to score twice in the first half and one in the second to ensure they finished the preliminary stage of the competition on top of Group B with nine points. The Ghanaians will meet the Bayana Bayana of South Africa at the semi final stage on Wednesday.

The Queens who began the game poorly lived under pressure for several minutes as the aggressive Congolese refused to give them a breathier.

The Congolese threat became unbearable and in the forth minute, Olivia Amoako was forced to chop an advancing player down for which referee Gaye Fatou awarded a penalty against the Ghanaians. Mafuta Maluvuidi stepped up to take the kick but drove it far from target to give the Queens some relief.

Ghana then had a rear break in the 22nd minute when Mavis Danso made a fine clearance that picked out skipper Adjoa Bayor. The skilful midfielder weaved her way through two Congolese in the middle before setting up sensational Anita Amankwaa who sent a fine grounder that displaced goalkeeper Buazo Nganzale in post to the ecstasy of the partisan crowd that had stayed behind the Queens so far. The Congolese known for their fighting spirit reacted well and but for a near miss would have got the equalizer with a counter initiated by Kisita Youyou.

The Ghanaians who initially laboured largely because they had abandoned their style of play that had seen them dominate their opponents were to find their rhythm. They weaved passes together, created space and got the crowd cheering.

Riding high on the cheers, the Queens broke off again in a move initiated by Sheila Okine and Bayor that picked out Amankwaa. The sensational player already touted as the revelation of the tournament paced away from her makers and with an admirable composure sent a curly one for her second goal for the day in the 34th minutes. The skilful Congolese came fighting again but their effort was not enough to alter the scores.

But they regrouped into a better side from recess and with an organized midfield that unsettled the Bayor and Okine combination, caused problems for the Queens rear that introduced Patricia Ofori for the first time in the tournament.

During one of their raids on the Queens' half Nzuzi Vumongo gave her side some hope when she pulled a goal back after shooting past advancing goalkeeper Gladys Quansah who had replaced number one goalie Gladys Enti in the 53rd minute.

The goal revitalized the Congolese and they redoubled their effort, chasing every ball and playing it tough in search of that equalizer that would have given them their second point in the group. Coach Isaac Paha pulled out Rumanatu Tahiru for Florence Adutwumwaa, who had started all previous two games. The bulky player began wearing down her opponents with her strength and runs and soon she was to find the net.

When the Queens struck again with only six minutes left to play, it was Amankwaa who turned the provider by setting clear Adutwumwaa who trapped the ball well and dashed between her makers before squeezing acutely past goalkeeper Nganzale who got the direction alright.

The Queens will meet South Africa to determine who picks one of the two slots for the next FIFA World Cup scheduled for the Republic of China in 2007.

The two finalists automatically qualify to represent Africa at the World Cup.

LINE UP Gladys Quansah, Ama Saabi, Mavis Danso, Olivia Amoako, Patricia Ofori, Lydia Ankrah, Doreen Awuah/Gloria Oforiwaa, Sheila Okine, Anita Amankwaa, Adjoa Bayor and Rumanatu Tahiru/Florence Adutwumwaa.