WAFU: Black Stars progress to semi finals
Ghana Black Stars B played a determined game to beat the Flying Eagles of Mali 1-0, in the WAFU 2017 tournament on Saturday at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
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A thunderbolt 18-yard strike from the left foot of Windful Cobbina in the 73rd minute of the game gave the Stars the maximum three points and qualified them as the first team from group "A" to advance to the semifinals of the competition.
The Black Stars went into the second game determined to safeguard their unbeating record in the tournament, when striker Felix Addo, attempted a goal in the second minute but was heavily tackled by the defence of the Eagles.
The Malians recovered quickly and pushed the ball in the back of the Stars but failed to connect it and it went into the hands of goalkeeper Joseph Addo.
In the 12th minute of the game, the goal opener for the Stars in match against Guinea, Samuel Sarfo was injured when the goalkeeper tried to salvage the ball from him.
Mali had another opportunity at goal in the 25th minute, beating the defence of the Stars but Atinga stretched beyond his limit to clear the ball from danger.
The Liberian referee, Jerry Yekey flashed his first yellow card on a Malian player, Issouf Troure in the 33rd minute for fouling a Ghanaian player.
The Stars generated most of the attacks but could not utilise any of the chances in the first part of the game.
The black stars recorded a poor defending skills in the 55th minute when the ball dropped from goalie Addo only for Mali to play outside Ghana's goals.
When the game was going tougher, Coach Maxwell Konadu, substituted the tormentor-in- chief, Felix Addo in 64th minute for Hearts of Oak striker, Kwame Kizito who had a bit in the territory of the Malians four minutes later but was flagged off side.
The Black Stars continue to pile pressure on the Malians which yielded dividend in the 73rd minute from a strike by Winful Cobbina, bringing the charged Ghanaian fans on their feet.
Ghana made the second substitution in the 86th minute when Sarfo went out for Andoh
Both teams made attempts at goal but that yielded no results.
Ghana will play Nigeria in the semi finals on Monday.