Ghana’s Black Queens were eliminated from the ongoing Africa Women Cup of Nations on Friday after being held to a 1-1 draw by Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses.
Though the Queens scored first through a Portia Boakye freekick in the 31st minute, the 2016 losing finalists drew level from the spot 10 minutes later.
After half-an-hour of sizing each other, the two West African powerhouses had to open up.
Ghana had to push harder as only a win could salvage them from an early exit from the tournament, which also counts as the qualification channel to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in France.
Cameroon needed only a draw to make it through.
A freekick by Portia Boakye was miscalculated by goalie Anette Ngo Ndom as the ball went over her into her goal.
Other attempts from the Queens to double the lead proved futile with captain Elizabeth Addo coming close on one occasion – her powerful strike hit the post.
Ghana’s goalkeeper might also have committed the same blunder her opposite number made as she also miscalculated a ball sent inside her half.
Torn between going for the ball or staying in post, Nana Ama Asantewaa took the former option but reached her target late, bringing down the Cameroonian striker.
Captain Christine Manie, who plies her trade in France for AS Nancy, stepped up to slot the ball in, catching Asantewaa flat-footed.
The 1-1 score stayed the same before and after the break as Cameroon maintained an unbeaten run into the last four.
Ghana added a point to their tally but it was not enough as Mali beat Algeria 3-2 in the other Group A game played concurrently.
The Female Eagles had gone 0-2 down at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium but laboured their way back to secure a vital win to make it through.
They join Cameroon into the semi-final stage of the tournament.
The two will, however, know their opponents after the last group games are played on Saturday.
Nigeria will take on Equatorial Guinea as South Africa play Zambia.
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana