Black Queens Achievements

2nd African Womens Championship 1998, 2002

3rd African Womens Championship 2000

Current FIFA Women's Ranking: 53

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The Black Queens of Ghana are known as the other power of womens football in Africa behind Nigeria. And, while they havent had nearly the success of the Super Falcons, Ghana have participated in every African Womens Championship and will be making their second FIFA Womens World Cup appearance in the U.S. this September.

They will be buoyed in their endeavour by becoming the first African team to beat Nigeria in a competitive event, 1-0 in a group match of the African Womens Championship Nigeria 2002. Despite the fact that they fell to the Falcons 2-0 in the final match, the victory over their rivals serves as the culmination of a slow improvement process Ghana have made over the past decade.

The results of their rivalry against Nigeria go a long way to charting Ghanas development. In 1991 and 1995, Nigeria beat them 7-2 and 5-0 on aggregate respectively. With the first African Womens Championship finals in 1998, Ghana won their group easily, went to the final, and then only lost to Nigeria 2-0. In 2000, the Black Queens served notice to the continent that they were improving quickly, as they took a point from the vaunted Falcons. This achievement was muted however when Ghana lost in the semi-finals to South Africa, ultimately finishing third.

The spot in the 1998 championship match earned the West Africans a spot in USA 99. And, though they only managed a single goal in the finals, that was enough to give them a draw against Australia and a FIFA Womens World Cup point. A significant achievement that the Ghanaians will look to better four years on.

They are once again led by captain Alberta Sackey, who was named the African Womens Footballer of the Year in April. Such was her dominance that she was the only woman even nominated for the award. The midfielder scored four goals in the AWC, including the strike that beat Nigeria.

However, it was goalkeeper Memunatu Sulemana who was named the player of the first Nigeria match after a string of outstanding saves. She is generally regarded as the top net-minder in Africa and will be key to keeping the Black Queens alive in matches in China. At the other end of the pitch, Nana Amma Gyamfuah is an experienced and wily scorer. Also, Elizabeth Baidu is a young player that many are touting.

Despite persistent disorder in the Ghana Football Association, the Black Queens are hoping that coach Oko Aryee can shield them along the way to USA 2003. If their preparations and organisation hold up, breaking Nigerias air of invincibility might give the side the confidence they need to surprise come September.