Ghana fall to England in a thrilling friendly

Ghana’s senior female team displayed a spirited performance but unluckily lost 2-0 to England in an international friendly at the St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton on Tuesday evening.

The Lionesses began the first half on a blistering note with quick movements at the flanks with the Black Queens managing the situation calmly.

The Lionesses shot their noses in front with a 5th minute tap in by Lucia Kendall after a poor defensive clearance by Ghana in the penalty area.

The best chance for Ghana in the first ten minute fell to Doris Boaduwaa whose effort however went into the goalkeeper’s hands.

Goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan came to the rescue of the Black Queens when she made a timely save of Lucia Kendall’s strike at the penalty area in the 26th minute.

England continued their threatening attacks on Ghana, creating decent chances but will only be denied by Ghana keeper Cynthia Konlan.

England’s second half was a replica of the first with a flurry of movements into Ghana’s third area.

England will be denied twice this time by the woodwork in the 56th minute, a situation that was a huge relief for Ghana.

The Black Queens lived dangerously in the 75th minute but keeper Cynthia Konlan parried a well taken strike by Alessia Russo to save the West Africans from conceding the second goal.

England came close one more time but Alessia Russo’s effort ricocheted off the arm of Ghana Captain Portia Boakye with the referee awarding a late penalty.

Alessia Russo stepped up to score England’s second and final goal in the 95th minute.

Ghana’s Kim Lars Björkegren used the game to assess his squad’s depth ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

⚽ Follow Pan-Africa Football across platforms for real-time news and stories.