Queens subdue Falcons at last

Ghana's Black Queens on Tuesday forced a bitter pill down the throat of the Super Falcons of Nigeria to concede their first defeat since the inception of the biennial Women African Cup of Nations Championships.

The lone goal victory was a sweet revenge for the Queens who have fallen prey to the Falcons since the competition began. Skipper Alberta Sackey fetched the historic goal for the Queens to silence a vociferous crowd at Warri.

It was one match that the Falcons failed to live up to their pre- match hype and bluff; and could hardly find their rhythm through out the 90 minutes of play. Bookmakers who had earlier tipped the defending champions to retain trophy were in a fix after the grueling encounter and could re-write another script at the close of Wednesday.

Angered fans nearly vented their spleen on the poor Nigerian ladies but for the timely intervention of security personnel who men fired warning shots to scare off the fans.

The tension which engulfs the camps of the two teams during the build-up to the match reflected in the game as both teams could hardly find their rhythm.

The match was scrappy especially in the first 30 minutes as the teams resorted to a typical British system - the kick-and-run style thereby depriving the fans of the free flowing African style of play. The Falcons who were fired up by their drum beating fans came into the picture after the half hour mark and forced goalkeeper Memunata Sulemana to save two quick corner kick.

Dribbling wizard Adjoa Bayor, who constantly remained a victim of rough play initiated a solo move, gave Alberta Sackey a neat pass which she expertly lobbed over on rushing Opara Ogochi, a second choice goalkeeper for the Falcons in the 34th minute.

The Falcons stepped up their game and nearly pulled an equalizer but agile Sulemana thwarted the effort of the host team. Sulemana whose excellent performance at the Women's World Cup four year ago in the U.S. caught the eyes of the connoisseurs, pulled out some superlative performances to deny the defending champions of the needed equalizer especially in the second half. Not even the biased officiating from referee Akono Ondo of Cameroon could help the Falcons salvaged their image with a five minutes time added on.

Among those who watched the match were Mrs Gladys Asmah, Minister of Women and Children Affair and Nana Bemah-Kumi, Ghana High Commissioner to Nigeria.

Four goals were scored in the first match of the day, as Ethiopia forced Mali to a 2-2 draw. Cameroon meet Zimbabwe, while Angola slug it out with South Africa in Wednesday's Group B matches in Oghara.

Fixtures for the 3rd Women's African Cup of Nation in Nigeria, 7-21 December

Group 1:
07/12 - Nigeria 3-0 Ethiopia
07/12 - Mali 0-2 Ghana
10/12 - Ethiopia 2-2 Mali
10/12 - Ghana 1-0 Nigeria
13/12 - Ethiopia v Ghana
13/12 - Nigeria v Mali

Group 2:
08/12 - South Africa 2-1 Cameroon
08/12 - Zimbabwe 1-1 Angola
11/12 - Cameroon v Zimbabwe
11/12 - Angola v South Africa
14/12 - Cameroon v Angola
14/12 - South Africa v Zimbabwe

Semi-finals
17/12 - Winner A v Runner-up B
17/12 - Winner B v Runner-up A

Third-place play-off
20/12 - Loser semi 1 v Loser semi 2

Final:
21/12 - Winner semi 1 v Winners semi 2

Warri, Nigeria (2002-12-09 ) -- Tension seemed to have gripped the camps of both the Ghana's Black Queens and the host, the Super Falcons of Nigeria, as the two group A sides clash on Tuesday at the on-going Third Women Africa Cup of Nations in Warri, Nigeria.
The Falcons, winners of the previous two competitions and who trounced Ethiopia 3-0 in the opening match on Saturday have vowed to subdue the Queens. The Falcons who see Ghana as their only obstacle to lifting the trophy for the third time have promised their country that once the Queens are dealt with on Tuesday, winning the trophy on 21 December is a foregone conclusion.
The Queens are also fuming with anger and determined to avenge the defeat they suffered at the hands of the Falcons two years ago in the finals. The ladies have vowed to quash the bluff of the Falcons and begin a new era of dominance on the continent.
Tuesday's encounter could be rated as the final before the final as both teams have remained the heavyweights when it comes to women soccer in Africa. Already, the Queens have sworn never to take anything for granted though they claim age is seriously catching up on the once dreadful defending champions.
However, in the mist of the tension, the Nigerians are tight lipped about the scoreline, come Tuesday.
Doc Rafiu Oladipo, President General of the Nigeria Football and other Sports Worldwide Supporters Union were of the view that Tuesday's game would be between two well-drilled sides, and most motivated side would carry the day.
Surprisingly while her colleagues were optimistic of winning on Tuesday, skipper Alberta Sackey who has played in all competition and by far the most senior, was cautious when she told the GNA Sports the match could end in a draw. "Though I'm optimistic, I for see a drawn game. However, if the day becomes bright, who know, we may carry the day", she said.
The technical brains of the Queens however see things otherwise as they predicted Tuesday's game to go in their favour. After the Queens 2-0 win against Mali on Saturday, series of meetings have been held by the playing body and the technical directors to plot a "coup de grace" against the Falcons.
The moral in camp could be said to be at its peak as the entire players are hopeful to glitter on Tuesday. Many connoisseur of the game have predicted Ghana Nigeria to qualify from the group and the likely sides to represent the continent at next year's World Cup in China.