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Ghana and Nigeria shared the spoils in their opening Group B contest in the 6th African Women's Championship match played here today.
Bata, Equatorial Guinea --- Ghana and Nigeria shared the spoils in their opening Group B contest in the 6th African Women's Championship match played here today.
The Black Queens were three minutes away from recording a win over their sworn rivals when Nigeria's Chijene got the equaliser after Florence Okoe had given Ghana a first half lead.
Despite the 1-1 draw, Ghana seem to have sent a clear message of their title ambitions to the other contenders in the competition hosted by Equatorial Guinea, with Nigeria, who have emerged winners in all previous editions spanning a 10-year period.
The first period of the game failed to produce any descent chances for the Ghanaians but Florence Okoe, out of nothing exhibited good technique when she positioned herself well to drive in a shot which put the Black Queens in front.
Ghana, failing to dominate play held onto the first half goal to send the game into recess.
Inconsistency in forward areas is appeared the remaining weakness that Ghana coach, Mumuni Gamel would have to address as the Black Queens prepare for their next group game against South Africa on Wednesday in Bata.
Back for the second period and Ghana's best opportunity to put the game beyond the Super Falcons was spurned by Adjoa Bayor.
Bayor, who made her way through the Nigerian defence, had the chance to score the second for Ghana with a hapless Falcons goalkeeper on her line but the Black Queens captain swiped air, rather than the ball. And the Nigerians were reprieved.
Nigeria continued to push for the equaliser but the Ghana backline lead by Aminatu Ibrahim contained their opponents while goalkeeper, Memunatu Suleimana proved equal to the task.
However, a lack of concentration by the Black Queens defence ended Ghana's hopes of running away 1-0 winners as Chijene run through the central defence to meet a pass long pass from defence and easily slotted to the far post, beating Memunatu Suleimana for the much needed equaliser.
And the equaliser denied Ghana the chance to record a second victory over Nigeria in this competition with the only win by the Black Queens over the Super Falcons coming in 2002.