The Ghana U-17 national team, the Black Starlets, yesterday handed a 3-1 defeat to their Gambian counterparts in the first leg of their African Championship qualifier played at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
The match played at the Baba Yara Stadium saw the Gambians put in much effort to contain their opponents, especially in the first half where the two sides scored a goal apiece.
The three goals scored by the Starlets were the result of the hard work of nimble footed Enoch Ebo Andoh who proved too slippery for the Gambian defenders, forcing them to hack him down on many occasions two of which won Ghana two penalties and two goals in the second half.
Early on in the 11th minute of the first half Ebo Andoh was brought down at the edge of the penalty box when he dashed past two defenders and moved threateningly towards the vital area.
Fatau Mohammed floated a volley into the box and Bright Adade soared high and headed the ball into the net to give Ghana the first goal.
Undaunted, the Gambians accepted the challenge and poured into their opponent’s territory, creating some scoring chances.
Their efforts yielded dividends in the14th minute when Saimon Tassama equalised with a header in one of their attacks.
The two teams continued their attacks in the second half, but while the Gambians used open spaces and their height to their advantage, the Starlets decided to walk the ball into their opponents’ net which was resisted by the Gambians who massed up in defence to clear all dangerous balls.
It was at this stage that Ebo ignited his dribbling skills as he held on to the ball, dribbled past his markers in the 51st minute and as he entered the box a defender handled the ball.
Referee Ttaona Ibrahim awarded a penalty to Ghana which was easily converted by Ibrahim Moro to give Ghana a 2-1 lead.
Again, in the 82nd minute, Ebo Andoh won for Ghana another penalty when he was hacked down in the box giving Moro another chance to convert to give Ghana a 3-1 victory.
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