In a pulsating international friendly on Friday, May 30, 2025, Ghana’s Black Queens surrendered a commanding 2-0 lead to settle for a 3-3 draw against Côte d’Ivoire in Ivory coat.
The match, a key preparatory fixture for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, showcased moments of brilliance, resilience, and defensive lapses, leaving fans on the edge of their seats in a six-goal thriller.
The Black Queens, under the guidance of Swedish coach Kim Lars Björkegren, came out with intent, dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities.
The breakthrough arrived in the 18th minute when forward Sherifatu Sumaila unleashed a moment of magic. Collecting the ball 25 yards from goal, she took a touch, looked up, and rifled a spectacular long-range strike into the top corner, leaving Côte d’Ivoire’s goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
Ghana’s pressure continued to mount, with wingers Shantelle Hlorkah and Tracy Twum probing the Ivorian defense relentlessly. Their efforts paid off in the 41st minute when Hlorkah, making her debut start for the Black Queens, latched onto a precise through ball from midfielder Grace Asantewaa.
Hlorkah showed composure beyond her years, slotting the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper to double Ghana’s lead. The goal marked a dream moment for the young player , who celebrated her first senior international goal with unrestrained joy.
However, just as Ghana seemed poised to take a comfortable lead into the break, Côte d’Ivoire struck back. In first-half stoppage time, a defensive lapse allowed Ivorian striker Rebecca Guei to capitalize on a misplaced pass.
Guei surged forward and curled a fine effort past Ghana’s goalkeeper, Patricia Mantey, halving the deficit and giving the visitors a lifeline going into halftime.
The Black Queens resumed their dominance after the interval, with Björkegren’s high-pressing system suffocating Côte d’Ivoire’s attempts to build from the back.
The relentless pressure paid dividends in the 65th minute when a dangerous in-swinging cross from Twum was inadvertently turned into her own net by Ivorian defender Fatou Coulibaly.
The own goal, credited to Ghana’s persistent attacking play, restored their two-goal cushion and seemed to put them firmly in control.
Yet, the game was far from over. Côte d’Ivoire, spurred by their vocal traveling supporters, staged a dramatic comeback.
In the 76th minute, substitute Rosemonde Kouassi exploited a gap in Ghana’s backline, latching onto a clever diagonal pass and slotting the ball home to make it 3-2.
Just four minutes later, in the 80th minute, the Ivorians drew level. A well-worked set-piece saw captain Marie-Josée Koffi rise highest to head home a pinpoint cross, exposing Ghana’s vulnerability at the back.
The final 10 minutes saw both sides push for a winner. Ghana’s Sumaila came close with another long-range effort that rattled the crossbar, while Mantey redeemed an earlier error with a stunning reflex save to deny Guei a second goal.
Despite the frenetic pace, neither team could find a decisive blow, and the referee’s final whistle confirmed a 3-3 draw.
