Queens in final fae; Face Cameroun Friday

A determined Black Queens side beat their Ivorian counterparts 1-0 to qualify for the final of the All Africa Games football competition played yesterday at the Concorde Sports Complex in Kintele.

The Queens will face the Indomitable Lionesses who defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the other semi-final match yesterday.

A 15th minute header by Queens striker Samira Suleman, after a brilliant cross from captain Mercy Myles, made the difference between the two West African rivals in a highly tense competition.

But it was the resilience of midfielders Juliet Acheampong and Mercy Myles, defenders Janet Egyir and Hilia Mantey, which paid off for the Queens in the highly charged match.

It was Ivorian petite attacker, Koko Mariette, who jostled the Queens into action in the first few minutes after weaving past several defenders before losing the ball to Linda Eshun.

Mariette Nguessan Christelle continued to be a threat to the defence of the Queens with her dazzling skills and deft touches but was stopped anytime she made an attempt at goal.

The Queens took over affairs after the threat and led an onslaught for the opener, but struggled to string passes together in their opponents’ box to find the back of the net.

Eventually, they got the breakthrough in the 15th minute after Hilia was released from the flanks, her first attempt to float the ball was blocked before an advancing Mercy latched onto the ball and her curled cross met the head of Suleman to beat the Ivorian keeper.

The Queens dominated possession after the goal but the physically stronger Ivoirians thwarted their efforts.

After the break, Cote d'Ivoire launched a full swing attack for the equaliser but Juliet Acheampong and Janet Egyir stood tall, denying them in the box each time an attempt was made.

The siege by the Queens continued to frustrate their Ivorian counterparts who resorted to long balls but goalkeeper Patricia Mantey was equal to the task.

Friday’s final in what will be a repeat of their group clash which saw the Queens and Lionesses play out a a 1-1 draw last Sunday.