The Black Starlets recorded an emphatic 5-1 victory over West African counterpart, Cote D’Ivoire at the UG sports stadium in the first game of the WAFU Zone B under 17 Championship.
A brace from Joseph Narbi, a dink by Godfred Sarpong, a header by Harve Gbafa and a belter by Mark Kagawa Mensah, gave Ghanaians something to smile about.
The hosts struggled for the first 20 minutes, with the Ivorians forcing goalkeeper Michael Armah into making important saves. Laryea Kingston’s side eventually gained some control and made it count in the 27th minute.
Joseph Narbi scored a goal from the edge of the area to double the lead after volleying past Christ Kouassi.
Ivory Coast missed chances in the second half, but the Starlets scored again with Godfred Sarpong’s 15-passing sequence, chipping the ball over Kouassi.
Although the Ivorians managed to pull one back, Herve Gbafa restored the three-goal cushion with a header from a corner kick seven minutes before the hour mark.
Kagawa Mensah scored a goal just before the final whistle, bringing the score to 5-1.
Laryea Kingston’s side are top of Group A, and a victory against Benin will ensure a place in the semi finals.
Ghana next play, Benin, on Tuesday, the University of Ghana sports stadium.
Ghana is hoping to leverage the competition to return to the African U17 Youth Championship, which has eluded them for the past seven years, having last participated in 2017.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Christian Kobby Quarshie
