GRA striker, Vivian Narkuor (right), controls the ball after beating her markers during their epic match against defending champions, Telekom Orange. Picture: Benedict Obuobi

Mixed fortunes for Police, GRA

George Ernest Asare Sports News Jan - 25 - 2018 , 09:47

The desire to see Ghana’s two female teams at the ongoing Hockey Africa Cup for Club Championships play in the final received a setback yesterday when GRA Ladies suffered their first defeat of the competition after losing narrowly to the defending champions, Telekom Orange, at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium in Accra.

GRA Ladies lost 0-1 in a match which the home team squandered glorious goal scoring opportunities and let the Kenyan side off the hook.

As the game was inching to a close, Telekom capitalised on a short corner which was perfectly connected by Juma Nekesa Teresia to give her side the victory and the maximum points

However, it was a relatively easy day for Ghana’s other female representatives, Police Ladies, who defeated the tournament’s whipping side, Yobe Desert Queens, 4-0 to keep their title aspirations alive.

By that feat, Police Ladies have an uphill task to beat Telekom Orange by a big margin in their last match today and hope that GRA Ladies win against KADA Queens of Nigeria for a possible all-Ghana final.

Police Ladies looked too strong for their Nigerian counterparts yesterday, having earlier recorded a 4-1 win against Kenya’s Strathmore last Monday.

The Ghanaians proved too strong for Yobe Desert Queens and pinned them to their half and created many scoring chances in the first quarter of the match but failed to utilise them.

The trend continued in the second quarter but this time Police Ladies were more accurate in shooting as Cecilia Amoako and Martha Safoa hit the back of the net to the admiration of the fans.

In the third quarter, the Nigerians fought back strongly with Benedicta Johnson, Deborah Jacob and Osatao Udooh combining beautifully in attack as they probed for goals.

However, Police Ladies countered beautifully to increase the tally through Cecilia Amoako who connected a short corner in the 47th minute of the last quarter, before Nafisatu Umaru sealed victory for the hosts to set a date with Telekom Orange today for a ticket to the final on Saturday.