The Black Queens of Ghana have taken a giant step toward qualifying for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup Nations after beating the Gladiators of Namibia 3-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Balck Queens captain Portia Boakye scored and forward Doris Boaduwaa added a brace to give the team a healthy aggregate lead ahead of the second leg.
Head Coach Nora Hauptle named a strong 11 for the clash against Nambia with veteran defender Janet Egyir missing out of the line-up after arriving late to camp.
The Black Queens started the game brightly and had a larger share of possession that culminated in a first half 1-0 lead for Ghana’s National Women’s Football Team.
Doris Boaduwaa broke the deadlock in the 26th minute, after capitalizing on a cross the Namibians failed to clear.
26’⏱️ | #GhaNam
Get in Doris … Goallllllll ⚽️
🇬🇭 1~0 🇳🇦 #MissionVolta🔛#ShineBlackQueens ✨🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/Maw29cpY2n
— Ghana Black Queens 🇬🇭 (@GhanaWNT) December 1, 2023
Skipper Portia Boakye later doubled the lead for the Queens in the 36th minute, after bending a cross into the net to make it two for Ghana.
37’⏱️ | #GhaNam
Mind boggling corner to goal from Captain fantastic, Portia ⚽️🤯
🇬🇭 2~0 🇳🇦 #MissionVolta🔛#ShineBlackQueens ✨🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/fURwhmTH6C
— Ghana Black Queens 🇬🇭 (@GhanaWNT) December 1, 2023
Doris Boaduwaa scored the Black Queens third goal in the 57th minute before the Namibians pulled one back through an own goal.
57’⏱️ | #GhaNam
Gifty Assifuah gets a chance on the pitch as Vivian bows out !
🇬🇭 2~0 🇳🇦 #MissionVolta🔛#ShineBlackQueens ✨🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/pFNYOnnqDM
— Ghana Black Queens 🇬🇭 (@GhanaWNT) December 1, 2023
The own goal is the first Nora Hauptle’s side has conceded after 10 games; since taking over as head coach, the Swiss trainer has led the Black Queens to 10 wins and has scored 34 goals in the process.
The Black Queens face Namibia in the return leg on December 5 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Ghana missed out on the last edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco. Ghana competed in the 2018 Women’s AFCON but failed to progress out of the group under former Coach Bashir Hayford.
