The Black Starlets of Ghana began their WAFU Zone B U-17 Boys Championship, and the qualifier for CAF African Cup of Nations qualifier campaign with an emphatic victory over rivals, Baby Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.
The opening match played at Accra Sports Stadium, saw Joseph Narbi who emerged man of the match, scoring twice in the first half to give the Starlets two goals advantage going into the break and that set the tone for what turned a demolition exercise for the Black Starlets.
Upon resumption of the second half, the visitors put a goal back in what looked like they might restore parity, but it wasn’t to be as Ghana responded with three goals.
Both teams met at the last competition’s third place playoff with Ghana triumphed 3-2.
This is the eighth times Ghana and Ivory Coast will meet at this level the Black Starlets have emerged winners four times, drawing three and losing just one.
Ghana’s U-17 Boys next math comes up on Tuesday against Benin Republic.
Meanwhile, in the other group, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria will tackle Burkina Faso in the first game of group B, while Togo will host Niger Republic.
With the victory, Ghana have boosted their chances of securing a spot in the knockout stage and have enhance their chances of qualifying for AFCON.
Watch the full match below
Godfred Srapong, Harve Gbafa and Mark Kagawa each registered a goal in the second half to crown a magnificent afternoon for Ghana.
Laryea Kingston’s side did not only amaze the fans with excitement but also set the stadium ablaze with blistering display and incredible goals.
After twenty-seven minutes of exhilarating exchanges, Joseph Narbi shot Ghana in front with a beautiful volley after connecting nicely to a pass from Mark Kagawa.
Narbi doubled Ghana’s lead with a personal brace firing home a blistering finish from a rebound with three minutes to the break.
Ghana went into the break with heads high expecting to press on in the second half to crown a perfect start to the tournament.
The Black Starlets continued from where they left off with Godfred Sarpong adding to Ghana’s goal tally with a perfect volley moments after the break.
Ivory Coast fought back to reduce the tally few moments after Ghana’s third but that was not to last as Harve Gbafa headed home Ghana’s 4th goal from a Benjamin Tsevanyo corner kick to maintain the three-goal lead.
Mark Kagawa sealed off a wonderful day for Ghana after driving home a magnificent curler to wrap up a perfect start for Ghana.
Ghana’s chances of qualifying to the next stage of the competition look brighter with the 5-1 win over Ivory Coast in the opener.