Ghana kicked off their journey in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers with an emphatic 3-0 victory against Guinea at General Lansana Conte Stadium in Conakry on Friday night.
Vivian Adjei Konadu put the Black Queens ahead in the 19th minute after she capitalised on a goalkeeping error to smash home. Evelyn Badu’s incisive pass found Grace Asantewaa who sent a brilliant ball to Jennifer Cudjoe on the right flank. Doris Boaduwaa connected with the resulting cross for the second goal in the 27th minute.
Guinea were later reduced to 10 players after Camara Manet received a second yellow card at the stroke of half-time. Ghana then took advantage of the numerical numbers as Mary Amponsah deliciously set up Evelyn Badu to put the game beyond the Guineans in the 72nd minute.
Dreamz Ladies’ Stella Nyamekye, who was handed her senior debut in the 80th minute, hit the crossbar inside the 90th minute. Speaking in a post-match interview after the convincing victory, Black Queen’s coach Nora Hauptle noted that her side should have scored more goals.
“I think we’ve had a good start in the Olympic qualifiers, we won this game 3-0, we had a stable start and I think in the end the score should have been much higher,” Hauptle said, adding: “In the end, I’m very satisfied. We are looking forward to travel home to Ghana and of course, having the second game.”
The result means the Black Queens are one step away from the second round of the qualifiers with the return leg scheduled for the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, July 18.