The Delta Queens hockey team from Nigeria suffered a tough loss to Ghana in Malawi at the Africa Club Hockey Championships. After a massive 17-0 win against the host team, Capital Braves of Malawi, in their first match, the Delta Queens faced a 3-4 defeat against Ghana in their latest game.
The championship got off to an exciting start with the Asaba-based team dominating the host country in a 9-0 victory in the first half and adding another 8-0 scores in the second half. However, the failure of the Kaduna State male and female teams to make it to Blantyre, Malawi, led to a reshuffling of the fixtures.
In other Women’s games, the Lakers of Kenya secured a 12-0 victory over the Scorpions of Malawi, while the Blazers, also from Kenya, handed a 13-1 defeat to Genetric of Malawi.
The game between Nigeria and Ghana provided an intense display of hockey, with the Delta Queens falling behind 1-2 in the first half. Faith Obukowho scored for the Delta Queens, but the Ghanaians fought back and took the lead 3-2. However, the Delta Queens’ Benedicta Johnson struck to level the game at 3-3. In the last minute, a controversial penalty was awarded to Ghana, and they scored to win at 4-3.
Despite the defeat, the Delta Queens are determined to secure a podium finish in the championship, which will conclude on November 26. Today, the Asaba-based team is taking a well-deserved rest. The Delta Queens traveled from Lagos to Blantyre with 18 players, three coaches, and other team officials on Wednesday.