In a spirited battle for a spot at the 2024 Olympics, the Ghana Black Queens faced Zambia in a fiercely contested match that ended in a 3-3 draw in Ndola. Despite the valiant effort from the Ghanaian side, they were edged out 4-3 on aggregate, having lost the first leg 1-0 in Accra.
The encounter began with Zambia’s captain, Barbara Banda, taking the lead and temporarily extending her team’s aggregate advantage to 2-0. But the Ghana Black Queens fought back, with Gifty Assifuah swiftly equalizing to make it 2-1 on aggregate. Doris Boaduwaa’s goal further bolstered Ghana’s hopes, bringing the aggregate score to a 2-2 tie.
A cruel twist of fate hit when Gifty Assifuah inadvertently scored an own goal, putting Zambia ahead on aggregate in the 61st minute. Yet, the Ghanaian team remained unfazed, with Azumah Bugri netting an equalizer in the 64th minute, bringing the aggregate score to 3-3.
In a thrilling finish, Zambia’s Barbara Banda netted her second goal deep into injury time, sealing a 4-3 aggregate victory for Zambia. This result dashed Ghana’s aspirations for a historic first Olympic appearance.
While the Ghana Black Queens may have fallen short, their tenacity and grit throughout the qualifiers showcased the true spirit of the game. Now, Zambia moves on to the final round of qualifiers to face the winner between Morocco and Tunisia, while Ghana reflects on their remarkable journey in the Olympic qualifiers.
