Ghana Ladies for Hockey finals

Accra, July 16, GNA - Ghana's National Female Hockey Team made its way into the finals of the ongoing 2009 Africa Hockey Federation (AfHF) Cup for Nations with a commanding 4-1 victory over their Nigerian counterparts at the National Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.

Ghana opened the scores in the 11th minute through Georgina Sam but saw their jubilation cut short with an equaliser from Nigeria's Alfa John in the 20th minute.

The Black Sticks regained their dominance of the game and scored two more goals from short corners before the close of the half. Both goals came from the stick of veteran Beatrice Darko as she effectively converted two penalty corners given to Ghana. The second half saw the Ghanaians sticking to their game plan and went ahead to increase the tally in the 48th minute through Rejoice Awagah.

The Nigerians were also awarded a couple of penalty corners in the later stages of the game which could have made them level up the scores but all opportunities were squandered.

Ghana will now take on South Africa in the finals on Saturday with the hope of putting smiles on the faces of the supporting crowd after a disappointing performance by their male colleagues.

Earlier in the day, the South African Ladies recorded the biggest win of the tournament when they chalked an 11-0 thrashing of Egypt in a one-sided encounter.

The South Africans who had already sealed their place in Saturday's final kept their composure to thrash the youthful Egyptian side, who are yet to score at the tourney.

The African champions led 6-0 at half time courtesy a brace from Cindy Brown and one each from Ryan Vida, Hubach Kim, Turner Roxanne and Madsen Kelly.

In the second half, Russell Shelley made it seven for the South Africans on 43 minutes by scooping home from a penalty corner before Vida sealed her brace two minutes later. Cass Julia scored the ninth goal on 58 minutes before Roxanne completed a hat-trick with efforts in the 60th and 69th minutes.