Ampem Darkoa Ladies finished this year with their second trophy by beating Hasaacas Ladies by a lone goal to win the Women’s FA Cup on Saturday in Bantama, Kumasi.
The only goal of the match came in the 18th minute through a penalty, neatly converted by Comfort Yeboah.
Two weeks ago, the young ladies from the Bono Region were crowned Women’s Premier League champions after beating the same Hasaacas Ladies on penalties in the clash between the winners of the southern and northern zones of the league at the Accra stadium.
The two teams created few decent chances in the game with Ampem Darkoa creating more goal-scoring chances. However, lack of precision in attack denied them the opportunity to increase the tally.
Game changer
The introduction of Mavis Owusu in the second half in place of Mary Amponsah, changed the complexion of the game. She injected some speed into the game and kept the defence of Hasaacas very busy and on their toes.
Ampem Darkoa ladies also played her role as the stopper and protected her goal area with timely clearances to ensure no ball passed her to create problems for her side.
The victory was without controversies as the referee and her lines women nearly marred the game with their inconsistent calls.
The most controversial call came in the 94th minute when Hasaacas ladies, who desperately needed to equalise, managed to beat the offside trap set by the Ampen Dakoa Ladies and scored what was thought as the equaliser.
However, their joy was short-lived as referee Audrey Awalama Atampugbire, who was close to the action, waited for confirmation from Diana Kleongyi, first assistant referee, on what to do before overruling the goal for offside positioning.
The Hasaacas Ladies bench rushed to confront the assistant referee to register their protest but she remained resolute.
Five minutes earlier, there was a similar confusion when Mavis Owusu of Ampem Darkoa was fouled on the edge of the Hasaacas penalty box.
Lucy Marfo, the second assistant referee flagged it as a goal kick, but the referee overruled the decision and awarded a free kick instead to Ampem Darkoa.
After all the drama, there was spontaneous celebration when the referee brought the match to an end with Ampem Darkoa Ladies revelling as the most dominant women’s team in Ghana with double victories over their fiercest rivals.
Credit: Graphic Online
