Live from Cape Coast Stadium, Ghana
How many Ghana against Nigeria games have not been exciting? Can you recall any?
The emotions were unbelievable even when the Black princesses were warming up. It was going to be a great night of African Women’s Football. The signs were clear and the Ghanaians came from a goal down to ultimately win Gold.
Kumasi now has a huge competition in terms of the region that loves Ghana national teams. Cape Coast was full of love, support and admiration for the Black Princess even before the kickoff.
Ghana supporters union was at their usual best with their unending chanting and dancing. Both National anthems were played with the small Nigeria crowd singing to motivate their ladies. It was the turn of the host, Ghana, and everybody was on his/her feet, singing ‘God Bless Our Homeland Ghana’ with ecstasy.
The Singing, jumping, chanting, and jeering when it was just a minute before the commencement of the game showed what Cape Coast has in terms of support.
A header from a free kick in the fourth minute from Nigeria went just over the bar. It was a hint of a cagey affair. Nigeria’s composure helped them control the early stages of the game.
Delight Isaac, the bulky centre forward for Nigeria had her first impact of the game as her shot from distance was saved by Afi.
A calamitous error from Afi Amenyeku in the 23rd minute gifted Nigeria a 1-0 lead. Ghana’s skipper failed to grab a ball guided by her centre backs as it slipped through her hands. Nigeria forward Loveth Ndeh had the easiest job on the pitch and slotted in the ball to an empty net to give the Falconeth a lead.
Tracy Twum unluckily hit the post after Mukarama Abdulai had manoeuvred her way past the Nigeria defence but the winger’s shot couldn’t end at the back of the net but rather hit the bottom of the left post.
In the 35th minute, a brilliant free-kick was taken by Comfort Yeboah which was expertly headed across Nigeria’s goalkeeper but no one was there to connect it for Ghana.
Nigeria nearly doubled their lead as Damilola Oladipo’s left-footed shot hit the post and hit Afi and subsequently went out. Ghana was so lucky with that Nigeria effort as the Black Princess were down 1-0 at the end of the first half
Nigeria won the first corner in the first minute of the second half which signalled their intention to chase the second goal.
Delight Isaac made her way through the Ghana defence but the striker couldn’t locate any of her mates and wasted a huge opportunity for Nigeria.
Chiamaka Christabel replaced the dangerous Isaac with just 10 minutes played. It was a great for moment for Issa Abiba and Hannah Nyame who were going to rest as the centre-backs were made to suffer by Isaac Delight.
It was all Ghana as three corner kicks were won in just 2 minutes.
The supporters called for changes when it was exactly 70 minutes played. You could see the Bkack Princesses were tired but Yussif Basigi knew what he was doing.
In the 78th minute, a deflected shot located Tracy Twum who impeccably executed a well-measured shot to level the score 1-1 for Ghana. Her goal recharged already charged Cape Coast Stadium as the supporters celebrated with immense joy and energy.
Mukarama Abdulai, probably the best player on the pitch was a constant menace to the Nigerian defence anytime she had the ball. With just 2 minutes from time, she headed a wonderful cross from Success Ameyaa which nearly won Ghana the game .
Ghana and Nigeria games never fail to excite supporters. A quick Mexican wave brought everyone to his or her feet as even Mexicans will be proud of it. Every one of the 20,000 spectators switched his/her phone’s torch on. It was the closest thing to the beauty portrayed by Irovy Coast in the 2023 AFCON.
Beline Nyarko deep in additional time attempted a wonderful lob which beat the Nigerian goalkeeper but ended on the roof of the net.
The 90 minutes ended 1-1 with extra time to be played to decide the winner.
Earlier in the extra time, a lack of communication between Afi and Abiba nearly resulted in an own goal which would have put Nigeria ahead.
A glorious opportunity was squandered by Tracy Twum in the 6th minute of the extra time after Mukarama made a simple work on the Nigerian defence. She miskicked the ball right from the 12th-yard box.
The wonderful moment came for Ghana, the best player on the pitch, Mukarama Abdulai scored a fantastic goal as her low drive shot ended at the bottom of the right post to give Ghana a 2-1 lead.
Abiba made a nice clearance on the stroke of the first half of the extra time when goalkeeper Afi was beaten. She headed the ball which could have been dangerous for Ghana.
The best chance of the second half of the extra time fell to Mukarama whose shot was way away from the post.
Ghana managed the game and won by 2-1 to lift its second All-African Games Women’s Football trophy. What a night it was for Yussif Basigi and his young women.
The Jollof Derby was won by Ghana as they will have the bragging rights for the next month or two.
