The Ghana senior women’s national team, Black Queens, defeated their Senegal counterparts 3-0 in the first of a double international friendly between the sides on Saturday.
All goals came through in the first half of the game at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The hosts gave the Teranga Lionesses no breathing space from the whistle blast and registered the opener just two minutes on. Gifty Assifuah pounced on a free-kick by midfielder Evelyn Badu to give Queens the lead.
Spain-based Grace Asantewaa weaved magic before doubling the advantage in the 8th minute. The Real Betis midfielder skilfully outwitted her markers from outside the box before sublimely planting home.
Afterward, Senegal had some decent chances but were denied by goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan Fiindib especially in the 30th minute when she had to save captain Portia Boakye’s blushes after giving away possession in a dangerous area.
Ghana went into the break with a 3-0 lead thanks to Assifuah scoring her brace in stoppage time.
The second half produced no goal but saw both sides give minutes to substitutes. Black Queens’ coach Nora Häuptle brought on Suzzy Dede Teye, Princess Owusu, Fidous Yakubu and Linda Eshun.
Ghana came close a couple of times but were just not clinical enough to extend the lead.
At the other end, goalkeeper Fiindib was called to duty again and pulled a save to ensure a clean sheet on the day.
Ghana and Senegal face off again at the same venue on Tuesday, April 11 to complete the bi-friendly.
Both sides are using the games to prepare for future assignments after failing to qualify for the upcoming 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup. Ghana have the Wafu-B Cup of Nations and the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in sight during the year.