Ghana emerged triumphant with a stunning comeback victory over defending champions Nigeria in a gripping finale to the women's football tournament at the 13th African Games. The thrilling encounter unfolded on Thursday night at the Cape Coast Stadium, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
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The U20 Ghanaian side faced an uphill battle after falling behind to Edeh Njideka's 28th-minute strike, putting Nigeria in the lead. However, buoyed by the fervent support of the home crowd, the Black Princesses mounted an impressive resurgence in the second half, completely altering the course of the game and securing the coveted gold medal.
The turning point came in the 78th minute when Tracey Twum delivered a sublime equalizer, igniting hope for the Ghanaian team. With the match level, the intensity soared as both sides fought tooth and nail to avoid defeat. It was Mukarama Abdulai who etched her name into Ghanaian football history with a classy winner, clinching victory for her team in extra time.
The Cape Coast Stadium erupted into a frenzy of jubilation as Ghana celebrated its second African Games women's football gold medal. Coach Yussif Basigi expressed immense pride in his team's resilience, remarking, “I'm so proud of this team. We never stopped believing even when we went behind.” He credited the unwavering support of the home fans for fueling their remarkable comeback.
Despite the heartbreak of defeat, Nigeria's Falconets displayed commendable prowess throughout the tournament. Their dreams of retaining the African Games title were dashed by Ghana's spirited performance. With the silver medal in hand, Nigeria will undoubtedly regroup and strive for future success.
Meanwhile, Uganda secured the bronze medal by overcoming Senegal in the third-place playoff earlier in the day. However, the spotlight firmly belonged to Ghana's rising stars, who seized the opportunity to shine on the continental stage with a victory for the ages.
