Ghana becomes one of the favorites for the semi-final at the Total U-17 African Cup of Nations, Gabon 2017, following a 5-nil victory over host country, Gabon at the Stade de Port Gentil.
The striking force of Captain Eric Ayiah and midfielder Emmanuel Toku, who both netted a brace each and second-half substitute, Patmos Arhin’s final goal, gave the Black Starlets the most deserved second win.
With the victory, Ghana is assured of one of the continent’s four slots for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India later in the year. Meanwhile, the Panthers showed no promise of progressing with their 5-1 loss to Guinea in the opening match of the competition.
Funny enough, the Panthers turned the table in their favour on a fast pace; contesting every ball in their numbers, while they enjoyed maximum home fans’ support. However, Ayiah gave Ghana the lead in the 27th minutes from the spot kick for his fourth goal of the championship after he was brought down. Five minutes later, the host suffered a penalty for defensive incursion, when Toku bumped on to a free ball before firing past goalkeeper Brunel Ilagou.
Before half time, striker Fahd Moubeti missed an opportunity for Gabon when his shot bounced off Danladi Ibrahim only to be cleared away by a waiting defender to keep the goal margin at 2-0.
The successive goal prowess of Ayiah and Toku played out in the second half, particularly in the 58th and 61st minute and complemented by Arhin’s goal in the 76th minute.
The last round of matches in Group A, will have Ghana face Guinea at the Stade de l’Amitie in Libreville on Saturday and Gabon will at same time host Cameroon in Port Gentil.
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