Forward Mukarama Abdulai was the unsung hero of a thrilling match at the Cape Coast Stadium, when she scored a spectacular goal against Nigeria to earn gold for Ghana in women’s football at the 2023 African Games.
The match was spectacular from the off as Edeh Njideka gave Nigeria, who had not lost in the competition, an early lead in the 23rd minute.
Ghana’s goalkeeper, Afi Amenyeku, committed an uncommon error when he spilled a ball that appeared to be innocuous and ended up in the path of a Nigerian player who tapped it into an empty net.
Despite this loss, Ghana showed tenacity and will, tying the score in the 77th minute thanks to a Tracey Twum goal.
The teams were forced into extra time as the clock reached full time due to a score that remained tied.
Abdulai took advantage of the tense time in the 98th minute to throw the crowd into a frenzy and win the gold medal for Ghana. He unleashed a fantastic strike into the bottom corner of the net.
Ghana’s victory over Nigeria, the reigning champions, was more than just a win; it was a historic victory.
