Black Queens book quarter-final spot with emphatic win over Tanzania

Ghana’s Black Queens have advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a commanding 4-1 victory over Tanzania in their final Group C match on Monday evening.

Princella Adubea opened the scoring early, capitalizing on a bright start from the West Africans.

However, Tanzania responded through Stumai Abdallah, who pounced on a defensive lapse to equalize before halftime.

The Black Queens entered the decisive clash knowing only a win would secure their progression, and they wasted no time imposing themselves with sustained early pressure.

Their efforts were rewarded in the 12th minute when the Tanzanian goalkeeper’s clearance fell kindly to Adubea to slot home.

Tanzania briefly unsettled Ghana when a poorly cleared free kick allowed Abdallah to fire in the equalizer late in the first half.

But after the restart, Ghana regained control. Bay FC forward Princess Marfo was a constant threat, winning a penalty midway through the second half that Alice Kusi calmly converted.

Substitute Evelyn Badu extended the lead, reacting quickest after a Stella Nyamekye free kick ricocheted into her path. In the closing moments, Chantelle Boye Hlorkah capped the performance with a superb curling strike to seal the result.

In the group’s other game, South Africa defeated Mali to finish top of the table. Ghana, despite failing to win their opening two matches, secured second place to book their spot in the knockout stages.

The win against Tanzania is a major boost for Ghana as they aim to lift the ultimate prize. They will now face Algeria in the quarter-finals as they continue their quest for a first continental title.