Two goals, one in each half by Sulley Ibrahim and Gabriel Leveh saw the Ghana U-17 record victory over Nigerien counterparts in a friendly on Monday (17 April 2017) at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The game, a preparatory test for both teams ahead of the Total U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 is one of the double header friendly matches between the two sides. The other game is slated for Thursday (20 April 2017) at the same venue.
The visitors started the game strongly pinning the Black Starlets to their half, but failed to utilize the few chances that they managed to create. Ghana took up the challenge and managed to control possession with the midfielders regularly supplying the forwards.
It now became a one-way traffic as Coach Samuel Fabin’s boys threw all they had against the Mena Cadets in search of the opening goal.
Their persistence eventually paid off in the 28th minute when Ibrahim scored for Ghana against the run of play.
Gingered by the goal, the homers mounted several attacks but the agility of goalkeeper Khaled Lawali and his defenders ensured that the first half ended 1-0.
Leveh made it 2 in the 53rd minute and though both teams dished out a very good ending to the game, the scoreline remained unchanged.
Meanwhile, the final tournament will take place from 14-28 May 2017 in Gabon. Ghana are housed in Group A with host Gabon, Cameroon and Guinea, whilst Niger, Angola, Mali and Tanzania complete Group B.
Reactions
Samuel Fabin (Head Coach, Ghana)
We managed to concentrate on the game throughout the duration. Remember we drew 2-2 in our last international friendly against Tanzania and many questions were asked about the players. Today, we did our best, though I feel the goal margin could have been wider. Kudos to Niger, they gave us a good match and were good opponents as well. We now know what we are up against so hopefully on Thursday we should see some changes in the team, and in the game as well.
Soumeya Tiemogo (Head Coach, Niger)
It was a good game. We started well but allowed Ghana to take over and the got the goal in the first half. We created few chances but were not able to score. Generally, we are satisfied with the exercise and hope that on Thursday in the second game we will have a better result.
