No Victor, No Vanquished As Nigeria And Ghana Share The Spoils In Limbe Battle

Nigeria and Ghana clashed with each other in the 2016 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations Group B on Wednesday afternoon.

The West African rivals had won their respective opening games of the competition and their match at the Stade Municipal de Limbe ended in a 1-1 draw.

Assist Oshoala broke the deadlock on 22 minutes for the Nigerians, and with just one minute remaining in the first half Elizabeth Addo made it 1-1 from the penalty spot.

Super Falcons gaffer Florence Omagbemi gave start to Chioma Wogu in a team that showed one change from Sunday’s 6-0 victory over Mali.

Largely the game degenerated into a dour midfield battle.

Ghana, comfortable on the ball, organised and classy, edged a less coordinated Nigeria at some stage in the game.

In a slow-paced first half it took until the 22nd minute for the first goal of the game to arrive. A free kick taken by Ikidi was contested for by Oshoala and landed at the back of the net.

Ghana earned their penalty when right-back Ugo Njoku stuck her foot to the path of Boakye in the box and Addo made no mistake from the spot.

After the introduction of Desire Oparanozie who was massive upfront, Nigeria tried to muscle their way through a strong, excellently-arranged Ghanaian defence in the final minutes of the game, but without success.

Super Falcons Starters: Alaba Jonathan, Faith Ikidi Michael, Ugo Njoku, Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale, Osarenoma Igbinovia, Halimatu Ayinde, Rita Chikwelu (c) (Ngozi Okobi 59), Francisca Ordega, Asisat Oshoala, Chioma Wogu (Desire Oparanozie 80)

Subs Not Used: Ibubeleye Whyte, Rita Akarekor, Ebere Ngozi, Gladys Akpa, Glory Iroka, Ijeoma Obi, Uchechi Sunday, Esther Sunday

Black Queens Starters: Ama Nana Asantewaa, Cynthia Adobia, Rosemary Ampem, Linda Eshun, Janet Egyir, Juliet Acheampong, Safia Abdul Rahman, Priscilla Okyere, Samira Suleman, Elizabeth Addo, Portia Boakye

Reserves: Fafali Dumahisi, Cynthia Adjei, Faiza Ibrahim, Priscilla Saahene, Grace Asare, Kusi Alice, Mary Essiful, Antwi Regina, Florence Dadson, Patricia Mantey

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : thenff.com