The Black Queens of Ghana opened their All Africa Game account with a 0-0 draw against Bayana Bayana of South Africa on Thursday evening in Brazzaville.
Ghana dominated the South Africans in both halves of the game but lacked the cutting edge to score as striker Samira Suleman and winger Hillia Koblah made South African goalkeeper Andile Dlamini to work more.
Captain Mercy Myles and Juliet Acheampong combined well in midfield to make life difficult for their opponents.
In the first twenty minutes, Ghana threatened the South African goal on several occasions but still could not arrive at the breakthrough as Vera Pauw’s side failed to produce the same impressive performance against Cameroon.
In the 31st minute, Ghana’s coach Yusif Basigi effected an earlier substitution pulling out Priscilla Okyere for Agnes Aduako of Fabulous ladies and the latter did not disappoint as she added more energy to the Ghanaian game.
The Queen’s most significant moment came in the 54th minute when daredevil winger Portia Boakye ratted the crossbar of goalkeeper Dlamini with a powerful 30 yards strike and Koblah would later saw her effort kiss the crossbar that left the Faith Ladies player shaking her head in dismay.
The last group A match will be between Ghana and Cameroon on Sunday and for Ghana to qualify, the Black Queens need to win or avoid a 0-0 draw against Cameroon.
A 1-1 Ghana- Cameroon draw will tie the three teams which means playoff or drawing of lots would be resorted to in breaking the tie.
Black Queens starting line up: GK Patricia Mantey, RB Linda Eshun, LB Cynthia Adobea, CM Juliet Acheampong, CM Mercy Myles (c), RM Hillia Koblah, LM Portia Boakye, AM Priscila Okyere (Agnes Aduako 31?), FW Samira Suleman (Safia Rahman 84?)
In Group A, Nigeria and Ivory Coast have qualified for the semifinals with six points each but the two will meet on Saturday at the Massamba Debat stadium to determine who wins the group in a match anticipated to be thrilling.
