Sekondi Hasaacas Ladies’ journey in the 2024 WAFU Zone B Qualifiers in Côte d’Ivoire ended in disappointment as they were eliminated in the group stage, despite a commanding 6-1 victory over Benin’s AS Garde Nationale last Saturday at the Stade De La Paix, Bouaké.

The ‘Hasmal Ladies’ left their best performance too late, with their emphatic win proving insufficient to secure advancement. Fatoumatou Tamboura opened the scoring early, and the team surged to a 3-0 lead by the 30th minute, though they conceded a goal before halftime, reducing the margin to 3-1.

In the second half, Grace Animah, Comfort Owusu, and Abigail Sakyiwaa added goals, sealing the 6-1 victory. However, the result left them third in Group B, following a goalless draw against Burkina Faso’s Omnisports Etincelle and a 0-3 loss to Nigeria’s Edo Queens.

Despite entering the competition with high expectations, Hasaacas Ladies, who previously secured the zonal slot in 2021 and reached the final of the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League, were unable to replicate their past success. They finished with four points, tied with Omnisports Etincelle, who advanced to the knockout phase on goal difference, alongside group winners Edo Queens.

The semi-finals, scheduled for August 19, will see Benin’s Ainonvi FC face Omnisports Etincelle, while Edo Queens take on FC Inter d’Abidjan.