Princesses reach finals of AAG

(William D. Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent, Maputo, Mozambique, courtesy, National Sports Authority)

Maputo, Mozambique, Sept. 14, GNA - The Black Princesses of Ghana are up for the ultimate in the female football category at the 10th All Africa Games after they spanked Algeria 3-0 in the semi finals of the competition on Wednesday.

Elizabeth Cudjoe fetched the first two goals for the Princesses in the 17th and 24th minutes to unsettle the North Africans.
The Princesses, who have so far gone through the competition with a clean record, completed the crusade to the finals by the close of the first half and rendered the second half of the game as a mere training exercise.
The Algerians were just no match for their Ghanaian counterparts as the Princesses dominated proceedings right from the early stages providing Cudjoe the opportunity to strike the two goals before the close of the second quarter of the first half.
Right from the blast of the referee's whistle, the Princesses attacked in droves and after wasting some glorious chances that fell their way, Cudjoe broke the deadlock with an intelligent strike to open the floodgates of the team.
With a clear dominance of the game, the Princesses went ahead to record their third goal in the 37th minute through skipper Mercy Myles to seal their entry into the finals.
Mills scored from a simple tap over the Algerian goalie after receiving a perfect pass from Esinam Atordze who had exhibited excellent ball control by and splitting the Algerian defence into tatters before delivering the a neat pass on the way of Mills.
It was a game the Queens gave their best shot, knowing the pedigree of the opposition in the competition and never allowed them a moment to rest.
Seven minutes later,The second half saw a rejuvenated Algerian side that matched the Princesses evenly and threatening with a number of long drives which goalkeeper Mantey in goal for Ghana easily dealt with.
At certain periods in the half, the Algerians mounted sustained pressure on the Princesses but failed to break the Ghanaian defense.
With the game clearly beyond their reach, the Algerians made bold efforts to lift up their performance in the second half but could not match the strength of the Ghanaians.
The Princesses will next clash with Cameroon in the finals on Saturday, September 17 at the Zimpeto Stadium, while the Algerians wrestle against South Africa for the bronze medal slot a day before.
In a related development, the female handball team of Ghana lost 26-33 to Senegal in a thrilling encounter on Tuesday.
The Ghanaians played well and led at different times of the game, however, the Senegalese resumed the second period a revitalised side and dominated the game, breaking Ghana's defense with ease while the Ghanaians found it difficult to break the rear of their opponents.
The defeat presents the Ghanaians with a tall order as far as the medals are concerned.