HOSTS Ghana secured the first WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup after beating Nigeria’s Flamingos 5-4 on penalties in the final in Accra last night after regulation time finished 2-2.
Shortly after both countries’ senior men’s B teams played out a 0-0 draw in an African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium, the girls produced a four-goal thriller.
They could not be separated at full-time, resulting in a penalty shootout, which the Maidens won after scoring all five of their spot kicks while the Flamingos missed one of their own.
Getrude Amoafo put the hosts in front in the 14th minute, and Priscilla Mensah doubled the advantage five minutes later as the Black Maidens appeared to be coasting to an easy victory, but the Nigerian girls fought back.
Precious Oscar reduced the deficit in the 34th minute with a powerful volley from inside the Ghanaian box, and Harmony Chidi restored parity in the 78th minute with a long-range strike past goalkeeper Aishatu Fatai.
Defender Taiwo Adegoke handed the advantage to the hosts in the shootout, when she struck the woodwork, but the Flamingos had an impressive tournament in which they scored 16 goals in four matches, conceding only four.
Benin Republic secured the bronze medal with another penalty shootout victory over Cote d’Ivoire in the third-place match played earlier in the day.
