AWCON 2018: Black Queens Suffer 2-1 Defeat Over Mali

Black Queens of Ghana suffered their first defeat against their Malian counterparts, The Female Eagles in their Group A second game of the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Accra today, November 20.

Bassira Toure struck twice as Mali recorded a 2-1 victory over the host nation having lost their first game to Cameroon in their group A opener.

Toure, who plays for Malian side AS Mande, dusted herself to expertly nail that penalty through the middle to give the Female Eagles the lead.

Substantive captain Elizabeth Addo was introduced after the break and the midfielder needed a few minutes to win a penalty which she converted to restore parity for the Black Queens in the 71st minute.

But Mali never dropped their heads and maintained the pressure on the hosts before regaining the lead in the 75th minute courtesy a goalkeeping howler from Patricia Mantey.

Fatoumata Diarra’s free-kick was spilt by Mantey and it dropped in front of the dreaded striker Toure who directed home powerfully.

Coach Bashir Hayford earlier was sure of victory over the MALI. According to him, the players saw the match between the Malians and Cameroonians, further expressed confident of his side winning.