FIFA U17 WC – Ghana beat fellow Africans Niger to meet Mali in the quarter finals
THE AFRICAN MEETING ends as a heatbreak for debutants Niger as the lost to a strong performing Ghana team.
Ghana created a good chance in the opening minutes of the game. Ghana,straight into the thrusting game and created a defence-splitting through ball. It became a fifty-fifty ball between the Ghana player and the Lawali and the keeper did well to get something on that.
Pic Courtesy FIFA
From the start, Ghana were the more skilful side, trying to make good use of the possession with shots taken from various angles. The first half was clearly the half of the keepers as both custodians made good stops from the shots on target, Lawali the more engaged of the two.
Ghana threatened from possession, set pieces and open play. Niger were restricted to counter attacks as and when the possession was lost near the half line. Sofiane saw most of the ball on the right side but more or less failed to send quality crosses in the box.
In the four added minutes of the first half, Soumana made a clumsy challenge to give away a penalty to Ghana. Skipper Aiyah stepped up and scored to give Ghana the lead. One goal lead is what Ghana took into the half time.
Ghana continued the second half from where they left off in the first, pressing Niger. Niger did not get too many opportunities in the second half. There was a chance when Niger had just one defender to beat and one touch too many denied them the good chance. Lawali continued to make great saves.
In the last five minutes, Ghana were awarded another penalty courtesy the foul by Idrissa in the box. Aiyah stepped up to take the spot kick. Lawali judged the direction and height correctly and made a great stop.
Danso who came on as a substitute in the second half, did not lose the chance and scored a cracker of a goal with his right foot to double Ghana’s lead. After the second goal, Ghana had chances to add another but could not find the finish. The final score read two nil to Ghana’s favour and they would meet Mali in the quarter final clash.
