By Lawrencia Nyamekye Adjei
The Black Queens of Ghana have made a historic return to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations stage after a 3-2 win over Namibia. The Queens, who failed to make the biggest continental showpiece for the women’s national teams in 2022, marked this return under Swiss gaffer Nora Häuptle.
The Queens started their qualification journey under this new manager with lots of changes both on and off the pitch, including camping the players in a beautiful and safe environment instead of the mosquito- and spider-ridden Prampram.
In two rounds of four matches, Ghana were first paired with Rwanda. The Queens qualified for the next round after Rwanda suffered a 7-0 and 5-0 hammering in Rwanda and Ghana, respectively.
The senior national women’s team was then paired with Namibia in the second and final. As Ghana took out Rwanda in the first round, Namibia qualified against Gambia. It was all to play for when Ghana won 3-1 at home in Accra in front of thousands of fans before making the journey to Pretoria, South Africa. Though Namibia handed Coach Nora Häuptle and her team their first defeat in 11 matches, the Queens qualified on a 3-2 aggregate.
In four matches, seven players were on the scoresheet for Ghana, including Alice Kusi, who scored four goals. Former Hasaacas Ladies players Doris Boaduwaa and Evelyn Badu both netted three goals each. Anastasia Achiaa scored two goals, while Princella Adubea, Stella Nyamekye, and Portia Boakye scored one each.
The 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted in Morocco.