Ghana’s Black Queens are set to make a triumphant return from Kigali, brimming with confidence and a clear path to the next stage of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying competition, thanks to an emphatic 7-0 thrashing of their Rwandan counterparts at the Kigali Pele Stadium last Wednesday.
Right from the whistle, Ghana asserted their dominance as forward Doris Boaduwaa found the net with a header, merely two minutes into the game.
Boaduwaa connected perfectly with a corner kick delivered by skipper Portia Boakye, unsettling the Rwandan team.
Scoring spree
The early goal set the stage for a relentless offensive onslaught on the She-Amavubis as Evelyn Badu doubled the lead in the ninth minute with a sublime finish after latching onto a precision through pass from Grace Acheampong, skillfully eluding her markers and beating goalkeeper Angeline Ndakimana.
The Black Queens ran riot as Princella Adubea got the third goal with a clinical header on the 28th minute mark as Coach Nora Hauptle’s side entered the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.
There was no turning back for the Ghanaian ladies who went on a scoring spree in the second half as Alice Kusi scored the fourth goal with a textbook finish, running deep to tap home a cross from the right flank by Boaduwaa in the 53rd minute.
In the 64th minute, Badu delivered a beautiful strike from the edge of the Rwanda penalty box after being set up by Anastacia Aciaa for an unassailable 5-0 lead.
Ghana had the luxury of missing a spot kick after Jennifer Cudjoe wasted a chance to add her name to the score sheet in the 65th minute, but Achiaa atoned for that missed chance and scored two goals within 15 minutes.
She punished the home side for poor clearance and lifted the ball above the Rwandan defenders and goalkeeper Ndakimana who had moved from the goal line.
In the 81st minute, Achiaa scored Ghana’s seventh goal with an audacious cross from 25-yards which goalkeeper Ndakimana failed to deal with.
Coach Hauptle, elated after the match, expressed her satisfaction with the result, praising her team’s possession game and overall performance.
She confidently stated that their path to the second round would be sealed when they host the return encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 26.
Credit: Graphic Sports
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