Ghana 2 Nigeria 1 (aet): Falconets reign as African Games champions ends despite Edeh's first half opener 

The Falconets lost the chance to retain their title,losing to Ghana 2-1 in the final of the 2023 African Games.

Nigeria started the game on the front foot but couldn't create any clear cut chance in the opening minutes of the game.

They would eventually take the lead in the 23rd minute when Ghanaian goalkeeper Afi Amenyeku spilled a harmless ball into the path of Loveth Edeh Njideka's who tucks the ball in.

Few minutes later, the home side came close to getting the equalizer but shockingly missed from close range.

Delight Isaac came close to doubling the Falconets' lead before the end of the first time but disappointedly got denied by the woodwork.

Nigeria picked it up where they left it in the first half, with Jumoke Alani heading Chioma Olise's corner wide, three minutes after the start of the second half.

Tracey Twum finally restored parity in the 78th minutes with a powerful shot inside the penalty area after the Falconets failed to clear the lines.

Christopher Danjuma was forced to make a change during the stoppage time as goalkeeper Faith Omilana had to be replaced by Anderline Mgbechi due to an injury sustained by the former. 

Four minutes into the stoppage time, the host had the opportunity to grab the winner but couldn't hit the target. 

The Falconets came close to restoring their lead in the first minute of the extra time when Abiba Issah failed to communicate with Amenyeku but the clearance of the former dragged wide.

The Black Princesses tool the lead in the 98th minute with a brilliant shot from Mukarama Abdulahi after evading the tackles of her markers.

Nigeria came close to scoring on the other end but Issah's clearance was enough to avert the danger for Ghana

Bukarama could have given Ghana a two-goal cushion in the 108th minute having found herself one-the-one against the goalkeeper but she drifted her effort wide.

Despite several openings being created for he Falconets to grab the equalizer, they failed to maximize their chances and have now lost their crown to fiercest rival, Ghana.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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