Zambia’s late strike ends Black Queens Olympics dream
Ghana’s Black Queens suffered heartbreak in Ndola despite a draw on Wednesday, February 28, ending their hopes of Olympic Games qualification.
Barbra Banda scored a brace in the game to ensure Zambia sealed a 3-3 draw and ensured they qualified on aggregate against Ghana.
The Black Queens came into the game on the back of a 1-0 loss at the Accra Sports Stadium last Friday but were confident of turning the tie around.
Banda opened the scoring in the 10th minute of the game before Gifty Assifuah, who was brought into the starting lineup at the expense of Freda Ayisi, scored the equaliser for Nora Hauptle’s side.
Both teams headed into the break with nothing to separate them the home team leading 2-1 on aggregate.
However, Doris Boaduwaa put Ghana ahead in the 55th minute with a brilliant goal before Kabange Mupopo netted the leveller six minutes later.
Azumah Bugri’s goal looked all set to force the game into extra time after coming off the bench to score.
A foul late in the game by Jennifer Cudjoe saw her sent off for a second yellow card with Banda stepping up to beat Vivian Antwi Adjei in the Ghana goal from the resulting free kick.
Her second goal ensured a 3-3 result on the day with the Copper Queens claiming a 4-3 aggregate win.
The defeat ends Ghana’s chances of being at the 2024 Olympic Games after going past challenges from Guinea and Benin.
The team will now turn their attention to preparations for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations to be staged in Morocco.
