Accra, Jan. 8, GNA - Ghana Football has observed ups and downs most importantly, after the 2018 expose by ace journalists, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, which uncovered series of corruption cases in Ghana football.
At the flipside, women football in Ghana continues to crawl, as it has witnessed less support and attention from the country.
Ghana, has risen to become one of the powerhouses in football with both male and female teams making a mark in international competitions, as the year 2018 observed a lot of sporting actions from the various women national teams.
Although, the year witnessed several wax and wane, we can still recall some of the thrilling performances of women national teams.
Black Princesses were able to seal a qualification to the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Under-20 Women’s World Cup, after beating Cameroon 3-0 (4-1 aggregate) in the final qualifying match played at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
However, met with the expose, the team failed to get the needed preparation, as they observed a shameful elimination in the tournament, after managing just a win against New Zealand in their final group game.
The Black Maidens, Ghana’s Under-17 female team, rose to become the hope of the country and the trusted team to bring home an accolade after recording a 100% qualification in the group stages, making them the talked about team in the tournament.
Meeting Mexico was undoubtedly, a big task but once again skipper Mukarama Abdullai who stood out as one of the iconic ladies in the tournament grabbed the first goal in the 2nd half of the game, after observing a barren first half.
Mexico equalised 15 minutes later through a penalty beautifully converted by captain Nicole Perez to bring the game to level.
The press for goal again installed Ghana the lead through brilliant Suzzy Teye, after receiving a long pass from skipper Abdulai on the right wing to beat Goalkeeper Gutierrez.
Once again Mexican goal machine Perez responded with a thunderbolt free kick to ensure the North Americans stay in the game.
That cancellation goal in the 82nd minutes would forever stuck in the memories of Ghanaians, as many questioned Goalkeeper Boadu for letting in that goal, which prevented the Maidens from breaking the curse of making it into the finals of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
Mukarama Abdullai banged historic 7 goals in the tournament granted her the space to become Ghana's all-time top scorer (7) at the U-17 Women's World Cup, surpassing Jane Ayieyam (6). She ended up winning the golden boot home with many tipping her to win the African Women’s player of the year award.
Collided with tragedies and trauma the only hope is the host and win mantra, ignited by the National Female Team, the Black Queens to win the African Women’s Cup of Nations.
With the whole country rocking behind the team with “Jama” and chanting, the road was set to bury the cup in the soil of the country.
The Black Queens rather witnessed an early exist in the tournament recording another disappointing performance to the country after managing just a win on home soil.
Sports in the country, is retarding looking at the performance and unfolding results from various national teams and clubs.
As much as we blame players and coaches, let’s not forget the daily administration of the game and how we have watched our colts football and other juvenile football, to fall not forgetting, how it has served teams and helped in winning many accolades for the country.
The state of our women’s league is appalling and if care is not taken, qualification to international tournaments, would become humongous task for our various teams.
The Black Queens, however have a chance to put smiles on the faces of Ghanaians, when they qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Is that going to be the stepping stone to bring put Women’s Football where it belongs?
Time Will Tell.
GNA
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