The female under-19 team, the Black Princesses beat host nation, Algeria 3-1 in the women’s football event on Saturday to win bronze at the All Africa Games and improve Ghana’s medal haul at the games.
Saturday’s third place match was the second meet for both nations and it once again ended in favour of the Black Princesses as both nations kicked off the competition with the opening Group B game, which Ghana won 2-1.
However, at the Zeralda stadium, it was double delight for the Black Princesses as Ghana once again left their host defeated through goals from Mary Baidoo and a brace by team captain, Diana Ankomah.
Unlike the opening match where Ghana rallied back from a goal down to win, the Black Princesses this time round dominated play and rather shot into the lead and doubled up before the host nation pulled a goal back.
Attacker, Jackyln Boakye raced down the left, shrugged off her marker and hit a cross in which was directed into the post from the head of Mary Baidoo in the 28th minute to give Ghana the lead in the first half.
Ghana, deservedly ended the opening half 1-0 up.
And back from recess, Black Princesses captain, Diana Ankomah doubled Ghana’s lead before the 60th minute mark.
Diana Ankomah dribbled her way past two Algeria defenders and struck into the far post to make it 2-0 for Ghana.
However in the 84th minute, Algeria pulled a goal back through Laifa Nachida but it happened to be too late as the Black Princesses held on strongly.
But Ghana stepped up gear as captain, Diana Ankomah scored the third goal to seal a 3-1 victory for the Black Princesses.
That was the captain’s fifth goal at the competition in four competitive games.
Ghana, making her debut at the second edition of the women’s event at the games left nothing to chance as they jealously guarded their lead coupled with good goalkeeping by Gladys Quansah handed the Black Princesses victory.
This is the second time in succession that women are playing at the All Africa Games in the football competition after the 2003 event and the first for Ghana.
Ghana, represented by the under-19 team in their first major international competition got to this stage of the competition after topping Group B win with successive wins over Algeria and Senegal but fell to South Africa in the semi-finals.
Ghana, who lie 14th on the medal standing after the win by the Black Princesses now have a total of 15 medals to their credit from a host of sporting disciplines.