Ghana champions Hasaacas Ladies dropped points in their opening game at the WAFU Zone B Championships for the 2024/25 CAF Women’s Champions League.
They were held to a goalless draw by Burkina Faso side AO Etincelles on Sunday, August 11.
It was the opening Group B game at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, La Cote d’Ivoire.
It was the second participation for the Ghanaians, having gone on to reach the finals of the maiden CAF Women’s Champions League in their first appearance. They lost to South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in that final.
But the Burkinabe, who are making their debut at the championship, managed to hold the Ghanaians to a scoreless draw.
Their midfielder, Adama Congo, was awarded the Player of the Match.
Coach Emmanuel Akwesi Mensah summed up how difficult it was for his side to break AO Etincelles.
“It was more chaotic for us because we couldn’t penetrate. The opponent was very solid, very compact and was playing the counter-attacks,” said Coach Mensah at the post-match press conference.
“These are ladies, they play their first match, so they looked a bit tensed. We lost so much possession whenever we are progressing.
“So, they win the ball and it is easy for them to counter us. We were more calm, trying to find the space to attack [but] they were very aggressive and with me and it was very easy for them to attack.”
In the other group game, Nigeria’s Edo Queens thrashed AS GNN of Niger 5-0.
The win puts the Nigerians on top of Group B ahead of their next encounter against the Ghanaians.
