ACCRA, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Ghana's Black Queens defeated Algeria 1-0 in the opening game of the 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations (AWCON) at the Accra sports stadium on Saturday.

Gladys Amfobea scored from long range in the 13th minute to give the Black Queens a flying start to the AWCON campaign.

Despite putting on more pressure on the Algerians, the Ghanaian national team failed to poke home the numerous scoring chances that came their way as the North African side put up a strategy in the second half to stop the Black Queens' incessant attacks.

Algeria, who played some delightful football especially in the second half, created a few chances but the Ghanaian goalkeeper Patricia Mantey stood between them and an equalizer.

With the victory, Ghana tops Group A ahead of the game between Mali and Cameroon.

Defending champions Nigeria will face South Africa in the first Group B match at the China-built stadium in Cape Coast before Zambia lock horns with Equatorial Guinea.

Ghana's next game will be against West African neighbors Mali.