Abuja 2003: Ghana Fail to Contest for Gold in Women's Hockey

Ghana failed to get the result that will guarantee them a place in the Gold medal game when they were runover 8-0 by a well oiled and free-scoring South African team. The Kenyans did not help matters either as they succumbed 0-2 to the Nigerian team that breezed into the Gold medal game scheduled for friday afternoon with that result.

Ghana were not outplayed as the scoreline suggests, but some bad officiating, a complex and the lack of confidnece on a big stage like this on the part of the players, were major factors that led to their heavy defeat. In defeat, goalie Grace Mensah was fantastic, pulling-off some spectacular saves throughout the match. The entire team gave a good account of themselves but lost to the best side in competition. The South Africans scored a minimum of 7 goals in each of the 5 matches they played banging in an overwhelming 45 goals and not conceeding any at the end of the pool games.

With the day's results, Ghana take on Kenya to determine the 3rd best nation in African hockey while Nigeria make one more attempt to crack the South Africans to grab the gold and a place in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

In the men's competition, Ghana contest for bronze against Nigeria tomorrow while South Africa and Egypt do battle to determine who rules African Hockey and heads for Athens in 2004.