Ghana’s Black Princesses booked a place in the final in the ongoing WAFU Zone B Under-20 Girls Cup with a 3-1 victory over their Burkina Faso counterparts at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Wednesday.
The home side fought for victory after overcoming a 0-1 deficit early in the game but recovered to take a 2-1 lead at half time before making victory certain late into the match.
They will play Nigeria in Saturday’s final in Kumasi after the Nigerians defeated Benin 3-0 in the other semi-final match on Wednesday.
Players of Nigeria celebrating their 3-0 thumping of Benin in the semi-final clash in Kumasi
Ghana coach Yussif Basigi made one change to his side that defeated Cote d’Ivoire 3-1 to reach the semis, starting with Rose Boakyewaa in place of Abena Anoma who was recovering from a waist injury.
However, the game did not go according to script for the Ghanaians who conceded a fifth minute goal through Diane Sythia Kabore. Burkina Faso’s lead momentarily shook the Princesses and got them to respond almost immediately.
In a player-of-the match performance, Ghana’s captain Stella Nyamekye led by example when she scored in the 13th minute to cancel the lead and restore confidence in her side as they began to dominate the exchanges. It was her third goal in as many matches after hitting the back of the net in the group clashes with Benin and Cote d’Ivoire.
With their tails up, the Ghanaians went ahead to score again in the 28th minute through Success Ameyaa who connected Wasima Mohammed’s corner kick to give the Princesses a deserved 2-1 lead. The Burkinabes had the chance to comeback to the game when they earned a penalty in the 78th minute. However, goalie Afi Amenyeku scored full marks when she saved the kick to maintain Ghana’s slim advantage.
Faiza Seidu, who had a very good day, put the icing on the cake with the third goal and sealed the game for Ghana. She timed her run to meet a long pass from Mafia Nyame in the Burkinabe’s box and controlled the ball on her chest before lifting it above onrushing goalkeeper Faoziatou Ouedraogo to complete the comeback win and a place in the final.
Source: Graphiconline
