Ghana’s Black Maidens emerged victorious in an exhilarating penalty shootout towards Nigeria’s Flamingos to win the inaugural WAFU U17 Women’ Cup on Sunday on the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
The dramatic encounter ended 5-4 on penalties after each groups performed out a pulsating 2-2 attract regulation time.
The Flamingos, who got here into the ultimate with a powerful document of 14 targets scored and solely two conceded, discovered themselves in early bother because the Black Maidens raced to a 2-0 lead.
Nonetheless, targets from Treasured Oscar and Concord Chidi reignited Nigeria’s hopes, forcing the sport into penalties.
Gertrude Amoafo put the hosts in entrance within the 14th minute, after which the irrepressible Priscilla Mensah doubled the benefit 5 minutes later.
It appeared the Maidens would coast to a simple victory, however the Nigerian women had different concepts.
Treasured Oscar halved the deficit within the thirty fourth minute, with a strong volley proper contained in the Ghanaian very important space, and Concord Chidi restored parity within the 78th minute with a long-range strike that flew above goalkeeper Aishatu Fatai.
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Regardless of the spirited comeback, the Flamingos have been unable to outlast the Black Maidens within the shootout, because the hosts held their nerve to safe a historic victory.
How they acquired there
The Flamingos earned their spot within the remaining after a 2-0 semi-final win over Benin Republic. Mary Fortunate Mkpa opened the scoring from the penalty spot within the seventieth minute, adopted by a purpose from Peace Effiong, who capitalised on a goalkeeping error to seal the win.
The Nigerian group’s dominance all through the match had made them favourites going into the ultimate.
However, Ghana had been equally formidable, cruising previous Côte d’Ivoire with a commanding 5-0 victory of their semi-final.
Their strong defensive efficiency and scientific assault set the stage for a tantalising showdown with their archrivals, Nigeria.
Decisive shootout
Within the shootout, each groups displayed nerves of metal, but it surely was the Black Maidens who prevailed, changing 5 of their penalties to Nigeria’s 4.
Defender Taiwo Adegoke handed the benefit to the hosts within the shootout, when she struck the woodwork from six yards,
The victory marked a historic second for Ghana as they lifted the maiden WAFU U17 Women’ Cup on residence soil.
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Never-ending rivalry
The match added one other chapter to the storied rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana, who battled to a barren draw on the identical day in Accra within the first leg of the African Nations Championship qualifying fixture.
Whereas there’s a second likelihood for the Tremendous Eagles B group to say a badly wanted victory over their Ghanaian counterparts, the Flamingos will solely take solace of their second-place end behind the Black Maidens.
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