Cameroon bag AWCON semis ticket, Ghana suffer setback

Geoffrey Mwamburi in Accra, Ghana

Cameroon last night became the first team to qualify for the semi finals of the African Women Cup of Nations finals after thumping Algeria 3-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Gabrielle Onguene, Gaelle Enganamouit and Ajara Nchout got the goals to put Cameroon in an early Christmas mood.

Last night’s win coupled by the  2-1 win over Mali in their opening game was enough to take them to the last four.

At the same venue, Ghana’s Black Queens capitulated on home soil falling to a 2-1 defeat in the hands of Mali to leave their semis hopes on the balance.

Bassira Toure’s double; the first from the spot in the 25^th minute and the second a header in the 75 minute was enough to hand Les Aiglonnes three points.

Ghana head coach Bashir Hayford made two changes to the team that played Algeria in their first match  of the tourney resting captain Elizabeth Addo and striker Samira Suleman for the 21-year-old Jane Ayiyiem and 17-year-old Grace Asantewaa respectively.

His counterpart Hossein Saloum also effected changes in the team which was hammered 2-1 by the Cameroonians, bringing in Lala Dicko and Aissatou Diadhiou for Kani Konte and Bintou Koite consecutively.

Portia Boakye had an early chance in the fifth minute after she delivered a free kick which was ably dealt with by Mali goalkeeper Adoudou Konate.

Asantewaa then came probing two minutes later but her goal-bound shot was cleared by Mali defender Sebe Coulibaly.

At the other end Aissata Traore headed a free-kick over the bar for Mali in the 20th minute.

In the 24 minute the visitors, attacking on the break, won themselves a penalty when Bassira Toure was brought down by Ghana keeper Patricia Mantey allowing AS Mande to put Les Aiglonnes ahead.

In the 72nd minute, Ghana substitute Elizabeth Addo was brought down in the penalty area and she duly dispatched the awarded penalty.

Ghana coach Hayfordblamed blamed the referee Letticia Antonella for the defeat.

“The referee really favoured Mali. If it wasn’t for that we could have won the match. I congratulate my ladies for their determination despite not securing a win. You couldn’t expect my strikers to play like Messi or Ronaldo; they gave what they have. We now shift focus to our Friday match against Cameroon and I believe we will defeat them.”

His opposite number Houssein said: “Ghana were very tough in the first half; they have speed and dominated well but the last chance we created was utilized well by my players. It’s my hope we will continue winning and qualify for the semi finals.”

The Black Queens will now meet Cameroon in a must win match on Friday to stand a chance of proceeding to the semi final spot.

Wednesday Fixtures

Nigeria v Zambia, 6.30pm- Cape Coast Stadium

South Africa v Equatorial Guinea, 9.30pm- Cape Coast Stadium