HOSTS Ghana have won the gold medal in the women’s football event of the 13th African Games after beating the Falconets of Nigeria 2-1 in the final tonight at the Cape Coast Stadium.
Mukarama Abdullahi struck the winning goal in extra-time as the Black Princesses came from behind to deny the Falconets of consecutive African Games gold medals.
The Falconets, who won gold at the last African Games in Rabat, Morocco in 2019, were gifted the opening goal in the 23rd minute tonight when Ghana goalkeeper Afi Amenyeku’s error presented Loveth Edeh with a chance she could not miss.
Despite pressure from the hosts at the filled-to-capacity Cape Coast Stadium, the Falconets held on to their slender lead into half-time.
Ghana eventually levelled up though as Tracy Trum netted 12 minutes before the end of regulation time.
The closely contested final went to extra-time and Ghana struck again nine minutes in, Abdullahi producing a fine finish past Falconets goalkeeper Faith Omilana.
It is the second time the Black Princesses are beating the Falconets in a final in one year, with the Ghanaians also emerging the winners in the final of the WAFU B Cup in Kumasi in 2023.
