Maidens beat Equatorial Guinea 2-0
Ghana’s Black Maidens took a huge step towards next year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Costa Rica when they beat Equatorial Guinea 2-0 in the first leg qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.
Both goals came after recess, through headers by arguably the two best players on the day, Issaka Larbi in the 49th minute and striker Jane Ayieyam 10 minutes later.
Maidens coach Evans Adotey cut a frustrated figure in a pedestrian first-half as his side failed to create goal-scoring chances and were restricted to taking long range shots from as the Equatorial Guineans tried to catch Ghana on the break.
Winger Issaka Larbi was Ghana’s main threat down the left flank as she went past her marker Fernanda Edjang on numerous occasions to the delight of the few fans that were in attendance.
The Guineans also targeted dangererousAyieyam with hard tackles whenever went on the rampage, to go on a rampaging with defender Maria Edu being yellow- carded on one such occasion. The flow of the game was not helped by the dry nature of the pitch which inhibited smooth passing of the ball, while Burkinabe referee Mariam Ki who was too quick to stop play when she could have easily played the advantage.
The Maidens returned in the second half a rejuvenated side and promptly went ahead when Ayieyam broke down the right flank to deliver a pin-point cross to the far post for Larbi to head past goalie Lucia Andene four minutes into the half.
The Equitorial Guineans threatened an equaliser when Cristina Ondo forced Azume Adams into a fantastic one-handed save but were soon on the receiving end in the 5th minute when an unmarked Ayieyam glanced home the second goal from a Lily Niber cross to seal the victory for Ghana.
The game became a one-side contest after the goals pushed the visitors further into their shells but a flurry of substitutions by both sides in the last 25 minutes did not allow the Maidens to have many attacking opportunities.
Ghana will look to secure a fourth-straight appearance at the U-17 World Cup when they travel to Malabo in a fortnight for the second-leg.
Story: Kweku Zurek and Bernard Neequaye
