Ghana crashed out of the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations despite putting up a spirited performance in a 1-1 draw against Cameroon on Friday.

With Mali beating Algeria 3-2 in the other group fixture which was being played simultaneously, a point for the Black Queens was just not enough for the tournament hosts.

The Black Queens were the quickest off the blocks and sustained this early pressure on the Cameroonians.

Coach Bashir Hayford’s charges were clearly well motivated to put up a good fight and chased every available ball.

Ghana came close to scoring after 10 minutes but Elizabeth Addo’s shot from a free kick was straight at goalkeeper Annette Flore Ngo Ndom.

Addo came close again in the 27^th minute but her cross-field shot came off the upright.

The stadium was rocking around this time in appreciation of the effort being put by the Black Queens and they duly got their reward after 32 minutes.

Portia Boakye’s intended cross off a free kick was misjudged by goalkeeper Ndom who disgracefully had to pick the ball from her net as the Ghanaians went off to jubilate.

Ghana were now in total control of the game as Cameroon struggled to impose their power play on the day.

The Indomitable Lionesses who had been very disappointed per their own standards were gifted a golden chance back into the game after Ghana goalkeeper Nana Ama Asantewaa hacked down Gabrielle Aboudi to give away a penalty kick in the 42^nd minute.

Captain Manie Patiance stepped up to coolly slot home to silence the rocking stadium.

The Black Queens now were left to hold on to take the game into recess at 1-1.

Ghana started the second half just like they did in the first but were susceptible to the occasional breaks of the Cameroonians.

Linda Eshun conceded a dangerous free kick after fouling the in-form Cameroon midfielder Raissa Tchuanyo in the 53^rd minute.

Luckily for Ghana, the resultant free kick taken by Enganamouit Deborah was way off the mark.

Ghana should have been awarded a penalty in the 53^rd minute when goalkeeper Ndom went tumbling into Elizabeth Addo but referee Maria Cynquela surprisingly waved it off.

Both sides effected a couple of substitutions with Jane Ayieyam coming on for Ghana to replace Samira Suleman while Marlyse Ndoumbouk was replaced by Mbeleck Genevieve for Cameroon.

Charlene Meyong drew a spectacular save from Ghana goalkeeper Asantewaa in the 89^th minute with the loose ball falling to Ajara Nchout but her shot was charged down.

With negative results coming in from the other group fixture, the Black Queens just looked sapped off the energy required to muster even a goalscoring chance.

Cameroon just held on to steer towards the finishing line and crucially get that top spot they wanted in Group A.