Rwanda women could not stand the might of the free-scoring Ghanaians who recorded a 7-0 humiliating victory in a 2024 WAFCON Qualifier first leg game held at Kigali Pele Stadium on Wednesday, September 20. Rwanda had no time to settle as Ghana took hold of the game right from the blast of the whistle. It took the Black Queen just two minutes to find the back of the net through Doris Boaduwaa who connected with a glancing header following a free kick effected from the left by skipper Portia Boakye. The home side could not recover from the goal as they played with no telepathy. There was no coordination in their play with the exception of Zawadi Usanase who showed glimpses of individual brilliance. Attacking midfielder Grace Acheampong found Evelyn Badu with a sublime pass in the 9th minute and the Norway-based player just poked it past Angeline Ndakimana to make it 2-0 in less than 10 minutes. But Grace Nyinaumuntu’s ladies were still confident they would turn the result around at any time given their home advantage. Usanase found space around the 18-yard in the 14th minute but his shot was too feeble to beat Ghana goalkeeper Konlan Cynthia. Ghana continued to mount pressure on Rwanda which paid dividends when they scored the third goal in the 28th minute through striker Princella Adubea who fired home from inside the box after collecting a pass from Justice Tweneboah. ALSO READ: WAFCON: Qualifiers Nyinawumuntu names squad for Ghana clash Rwanda had a chance to reduce the deficit in the 35th minute but Florence Imanizabayo's superb header from a Nibagwire Libellee flick missed the goal post by inches. The first half ended with Ghana leading 3-0 and being the better side. ALSO READ: WAFCON 2024: Ghana names squad for rwanda qualifier, what you should know The second half started with Ghana maintaining the same momentum, pinning Rwanda into their own half with their fantastic attacking play. Princella Adubea started a swift move on the left and found Doris Boaduwaa who delivered a cross for Alice Kusi to fire home for Ghana's fourth goal in the 53rd minute. Nyinawumuntu brought on Abimana for Dorothee Mukeshimana as she sought to strengthen her back four which was struggling to cope with Ghana’s attacking threats. Ghana launched another attack in the 65th minute when midfielder Evelyn Badu hit a bullet at the edge of the box to make it 5-0. But the visitors were far from the done with their business in Kigali. In another attack, Boaduwaa was brought down inside the penalty box. The referee blew his whistle for a penalty but midfielder Alice Kusi hit the spot kick wide. Ghana brought on striker Gifty Assifuah for Kusi as they pushed for more goals. Nyinawumuntu also introduced Umuhoza Angelique for Andersen Uwase to tighten the defense which was in tatters. Centre back Anastasia Achiaa hit a screamer from 30 yards which goalie Ndakimana had no chance to save only for Ghana's sixth goal in the 76th minute. It was all over for Rwanda as Ghana were still chasing more goals despite playing away from home. Rwanda had another chance in the 80th minute to reduce the deficit but miss-communication on the part of Alodie Kayitesi and Imanizabayo allowed the Ghanaians to clear their lines. Achiaa, who was having a wonderful afternoon scored the 7th and last goal for the Black Queens in the 85th minute with a dinking strike from the left flank to cap off their trip to Kigali with nothing but a 7-0 humiliating win over the home side. The reverse leg will take place in Ghana on September 27 with the winner of the duel set to face either Namibia or Gambia in the next round of the qualifiers.
