All-African Games (Football): Falconets Lose Out on Gold as Hosts, Ghana Triumph

The Falconets fell to a 2-1 defeat over Ghana in a pulsating final of the 13th African Games women’s football tournament which took place at the Cape Coast Stadium, Ghana on Thursday, March 21, 2024.

Despite drawing first blood through Edeh Loveth in the 24th minute, it was the hosts, Ghana, who rallied to a comeback to dethrone the Nigerian girls.

The Falconets, who won gold at the last African Games in Rabat, Morocco in 2019, were a win away from retaining the medal but had to settle for a draw after Tracey Twum found the back of the net for an equalizer 12 minutes before the end of regulation time.

This stretched the game to extra time, making room for a winner which was slotted in by Mukarama Abdulai in the 90+9th minute sending the vibrant home crowd to endless elation.

Ghana’s Black Princesses displayed a high level of resilience in the face of defeat to turn their fortunes around against the defending champions.

The U-20 Nigeria girls finished with the Silver Medal, having defeated Morocco (2-0), Senegal (4-0), and Uganda (2-0), before losing to Ghana (2-1), playing four matches, winning three, scoring nine goals, keeping three clean sheets and conceding just two goals.