On this day 18 September 2015 (Exactly 5 years ago today) The Senior Women’s National Team, the Black Queens, beat Cameroon 1-0 to win gold for the first time at the African Games in Congo.
Portia Boakye scored in the 87th minute, capitalising on a loose ball in the Cameroonian area to seal victory for Ghana.
The Black Queens were lucky to have qualified from the group ahead of South Africa through the drawing of lots, but then edged Ivory Coast by a goal to nil in the semis.
It was sweet revenge for Ghana who lost by the same scoreline four years earlier at the 2011 Maputo Games.
The Black Queens thus won their first-ever gold medal in the history of the Games.
Ghana Starting Line-up: Patricia Mantey, Cynthia Adobea, Rosemary Ampem, Hillia Mantenn Kobblah, Janet Egyir, Linda Eshun, Juliet Acheampong, Mercy Myles(C), Samira Sulemana, Agnes Aduako, Portia Boakye
Substitutes: Fafali Dumahisi, Eden Atovor, Grace Asare, Safia Abdul Rahman, Diana Ankomah, Rita Okyere.
Elsewhere;
On this day 18 September 2004 (Exactly 16 years ago today)The Banyana Banyana of South Africa got off to a disastrous campaign in the African Women Nations Cup suffering an embarrassing 3-0 defeat by Ghana at the Caledonian Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
It was a well deserved victory for the Black Queens of Ghana, who were all over SA from the first whistle.
Ghana grabbed their first goal in the 36th minute through Akua Anokyewaa after connecting Memuna’s cross
The visitors went further ahead in the 50th minute when troublesome Gloria Foriwa converted a cross from Anokyewaa.
Bernice Asante also added her name in the scorers list in the 76th minute with a superb header giving goalkeeper Itulemeleng Chimeloane no chance.
On this day 18 September 2004(Exactly 16 years ago today)Dansoma-based Liberty Professionals drowned Premier League’s debutantes, Fetteh Feyenoord with a 4-0 drubbing when the two locked horns at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The defeat marked the heaviest of the Gomoa Fetteh lads in the four-week old premiership which saw Liberty striking thrice in the first half and adding one in the second half to seal the doom of the visitors who had a terrible afternoon.
Though the Dansoman lads were no extraordinary side, they managed to utilise their chances in the scrappy game that saw Feyenoord renewing the doubts of the connoisseurs of the game, with regards to whether they weree ripe for the sixteen-team league.
The lack of creativity, flair and competitiveness that characterized the low tempo game, gave enough credence to the level of harm the long lay off of the league had done to the premiership.
It was however Liberty’s Obeng Darko who defied the disturbing signals to shoot his side into the lead on the 13th minute mark when he cleverly connected a cross from Michael Helegbe. The later tore the visitors back-line which coach Atto Hamound described as a let down in a post match interview into shreds before setting up Darko to easily displace goalkeeper Philemon McCarthy for the first goal.
The reaction of the visitors was swift as they managed to break loose with slippery Borketey Bortey sneaking past his markers only to shot wide to the dismay of the sparse crowd at the nation’s Wembley.
Feyenoord were yet again presented with another good opportunity but Bortey’s final delivery could only bring the best in Liberty’s goalie, Patrick Antwi when he over-stretched his elastic limit to make a timely save to keep the score line unchanged. Liberty regrouped well and tilted the pendulum of action in their favour and from then on the Sly Tetteh lads tormented the defence of their vulnerable guests pivoted around Michael Akuffu, George Tutu and Sheriff Anerfi.
In one of their numerous onslaughts, Anerfi was careless in tidying up the rear when he whacked his opponent just behind the 18 yard box which eventually earned him the yellow card. Michael Helegbe who was gradually emerging as a good free kick expert did a perfect job with a curling ball which zoomed into the yawning net for the second goal on the 21st minute mark with both the defence and keeper McCarthy watching helplessly.
The heat on the debutants became unbearable and Anerfi was unlucky to have messed himself up with a scrappy defending at the glaring eyes of referee Joseph Lamptey which saw his subsequent expulsion for a second bookable offence.
Liberty from then took full control of the game ensuring that their third goal scored by Kwabena Nkana on the stroke of the first half was no surprise. The pattern of the game in the second half was no different with Feyenoord failing to create any meaningful and clear-cut chances even though they played tactically and eye pleasing game that failed to bring them any goal.
At a time the Liberty attack seemed content with the goal feast, hard working defender, Stanley Afedzie came from nowhere to deliver a long drive from a set up from the middle which beat keeper McCarthy for his sides fourth goal to seal the doom of the visitors.
On this day 18 September 2016 (Exactly 4 years ago today) Liberty Professionals star Latif Blessing won the Ghana Premier League goal king title after his treble on the final day of competition.
He finished with 17 goals; two more than Aduana Stars talisman Yahaya Mohammed.
Blessing’s hat-trick also ensured Liberty Professionals remained in the top-flight after a 3-1 win over Bechem United.
On this day 18 September 1946(Exactly 44 years ago today) Former world heavyweight champion Joe Louis knocked out Tami Mauriello in round 1 for heavyweight boxing title at the Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
By: George ‘Alan Green’ Mahamah
