Accra, June 6, GNA - Ghana's Black Queens have qualified for the 7th Africa Women's Championship after they chalked a convincing 3-0 victory over their Senegalese counterparts on Sunday at the Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra.
The Queens, regular participants at every edition of the biennial tournament since its inception in 1998, inched through with 4-0 on aggregate after managing a lone goal victory in the first leg encounter in Dakar a fortnight ago.
Goals from Portia Boakye, Diana Ankomah and Florence Okoe was all the Queens needed to confirm their place at the seventh edition of the tournament that pits together the continent's elite women's teams. It was a well deserved victory for the Black Queens who outplayed their Senegalese guests in every aspect of the game.
From kick-off, the hosts took the game to their guests and it was only a matter of time that the opener would come as the started stringing their passes with the visitors resorting to a defensive strategy. However enterprising midfielder Boakye broke the deadlock on 23 minutes with a superb strike with striker Ankomah doubling the lead four minutes past the half-hour mark.
The Teranga Lionesses were not up to scratch with only goalkeeper Diaye Onleye as the brightest spot, but occasionally produced some spectacular responses to deny the Ghanaians from scoring more goals. The Black Queens resumed the second half with the same tempo and the introduction of Anita Amankwah and Leticia Zipki for Agnes Aduako and Safia Abdul Rahman respectively increased the pressure on the guests who were made to chase their shadows.
On 65 minutes, veteran midfielder Okoe scored the third goal for the Queens with a grounder that zoomed beyond the reach of a hapless keeper Diaye.
The Black Queens appeared content with the three-goal victory with Amankwah and Ankomah making a mess of chances that came their way. The final tournament will be staged in South Africa in October this year.
Line-up: Ghana - Gladys Quansah, Florence Okoe, Yaa Avoe, Patience Kpobi, Aminatu Ibrahim, Ama Saabi, Portia Boakye/Doris Nartey, Safia Abdul Rahman/Leticia Zikpi, Akua Sika, Agnes Aduako/Anita Amankwah, Diana Ankomah
Senegal - Diaye Onleye, Sein Ndir/Mariama Diettou, Serena Lema Gomis, Mamy Ndiaye, Khady Fall Sall, Fatau Sene/Maritou Seck, Marema Diop, Seynabou Ndiaye/Maty Diop, Seynabou Kane, Bineta Sylla, Abasa Diop 06 June 10