From being hooted to becoming heroine: How Mukarama Abdulai won over her critics

Black Princesses forward Mukarama Abdulai rose from near ashes to glory at the African Games after scoring a winning goal against Nigeria in the women's football final played at the Cape Coast Stadium on March 21, 2024.

On March 10, when the Princesses played their first game against Ethiopia at the same venue, some home fans hooted Mukarama.

The incident will not cost her a place in the team or dent her contribution to the team, as evidenced in subsequent games against Tanzania, Uganda, and later Senegal in the semi-finals.

Then came the final and her extra-time goal, which lit up the stadium and turned the boos into cheers as she wheeled off to celebrate with the home fans.

On social media, the criticisms have turned into praise for the young striker, whose teammates celebrated a strike that not only allowed them to beat the defending champions, Nigeria, but also prevented them from resorting to spot kicks.

Ghana topped Group A with 7 points after two wins and a draw.

The Black Princesses drew 1-1 against Uganda before beating Ethiopia and Tanzania 1-0 and 2-1, respectively, to advance to the semi-final.

The hosts thumped Senegal 3-1 in the last four to secure a final berth in their quest to stage host and win.

Despite conceding first against Nigeria, Yusuf Basigi's charges hit back twice to clinch gold, and Mukarama Abdulai was the heroine of the night for good reason.

Feels like a story written in the sky!

Fans were frustrated with Mukarama Abdulai's performances in the opening two games at the #AfricanGames to the extent she was booed by a section of the stadium.

Last night, she scored the goal to win the ???????? Black Princesses gold. https://t.co/vBIknS3ZtT pic.twitter.com/ZJKYCSQyQC

— Lawrence Baidoo (@kweku_lawrence) March 22, 2024

From being unfortunately booed in Ghana's first game to becoming the heroine on the night for the Black Princesses, Abdulai Mukarama must be a happy person tonight. Well done to the girls and Yusif Basigi led technical team for winning GOLD. ???? pic.twitter.com/dKSePtX6HS

— Juliet Bawuah (@julietbawuah) March 21, 2024

Admin can’t sleep! Take this hold body till morning! Our striker extraordinare, Mukarama Abdulai!

???????? 2:1 ????????#StrongerTogether???????? #ShineBlackPrincesses✨#BringBackTheLove ???? #Accra2023 pic.twitter.com/vrKMRN0Tc0

— Ghana Women National Teams ???????? (@GhanaWNT) March 22, 2024

MASSIVE!

Black Princesses. Congratulations lasses.

I’m happy for Mukarama particularly. A goal that’ll do her a great deal of good. ????????????????

— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) March 21, 2024