Ghana exited yet another FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup (WWC) despite a 3-1 win over New Zealand in Group E on Sunday.
The Black Princesses were in contention for a place in the next round as one of the best third placed finishers, but Argentina’s win earlier in the day meant that both New Zealand and Ghana were eliminated from knockout stage calculations, rendering the clash a dead-rubber.
Ghana were looking to make it past the group stage for the first time in history, having qualified for the biennial tournament for the seventh straight time but defeats to Austria and Japan made that dream an impossibility.
Beline Nyarkoh had the earlier chance in the 15th minute but her effort was blocked off for a corner kick. Salamatu Abdullai’s solo run at goal was ruled out for offside to deny Ghana the lead in the 23rd minute.
Wasiima Mohammed’s cross
from a corner kick was slotted home by Salamatu Abdulai to give Ghana the lead in the 59th minute but a defensive blunder handed New Zealand the equaliser in the 63rd minute.
Ghana continued with the search for a win and continued to pile pressure on the New Zealanders but a chance created again was missed by Jennifer Owusuwaa whose header missed the target narrowly.
However, the Black Princesses had the leader again through Abdulai Salamatu.
She coolly tapped in a decent cross from Stella Nyamekye, who controlled a pass beautifully, beat her markers before the final pass.
Tracey Twum replaced Jennifer Owusuwaa whose first touch resulted in the third goal for the Black Princesses in the 94th minute as Ghana ended the campaign with a 3-1 win and in third place with three points, while New Zealand finish bottom after three straight defeats.
Meanwhile, Stella Nyamekye won Ghana’s first VISA player of the match award in the ongoing championship after being named the best player against New Zealand.
The Dreamz Ladies midfielder provided the assists for Ghana’s second goal scored by Salamatu Abdullai and was a threat in the entire game with her sublime skills and dexterity in the heart of the pitch.
She scored two goals in the group stages, one each against Austria and Japan. –Ghanafa.org
