VIDEO: Ghana’s Black Starlet Thrash Ivory Coast 5-1 in WAFU B U-17 Cup of Nations Opener

At the University of Ghana Stadium on Tuesday, the 2024 WAFU Zone B Under-17 Championship got underway with the Black Starlet of Ghana defeating Ivory Coast 5-1 with a brilliant attacking display.

Former Ghanaian star Laryea Kingston coached the victorious youngsters, demonstrating promise in his first substantial assignment.

Kingston’s tactical prowess paid dividends as the Black Starlets displayed relentless pressure, resulting in a brace from Joseph Narbi along with strikes from Godfred Sarpong, Harve Gbafa, and Mark Kagawa Mensah.

Despite early chances created by Ivory Coast, their failure to capitalise allowed Ghana to dominate proceedings until the final whistle.

 

Kingston’s team took the lead in the 27th minute through Joseph Narbi, who doubled both his and Ghana’s advantage just before halftime with a powerful strike from outside the area.

 

Watch the video of the goals below 

Credit: Max Tv

The Black Starlets takes the lead through Joseph Narbi

 

 

Joseph Narbi makes it two for the Black Starlets

 

 

The second half continued in a similar vein, with Godfred Sarpong extending Ghana’s lead to three just three minutes after the restart.

Credit: Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV

 

While a goal for Côte d’Ivoire in the 50th minute threatened a potential comeback, Harve Gbafa quickly restored Ghana’s three-goal cushion three minutes later.

Substitute Mark Kagawa Mensah then added a fifth goal in the 91st minute to seal a comprehensive victory and secure all three points for the Black Starlets.

 

Mark Kagawa Mensah makes it 5 for the Starlets

 

 

Following this landmark victory, Ghana take a commanding stance in Group A, nearing semifinal qualification ahead of their concluding fixture against Benin.

On the flip side, Ivory Coast faces elimination unless they prevail in their remaining encounter with Benin.

Understandably, praise floods in for coach Kingston and his talented proteges, signalling a bright future for Ghanaian football.

The Starlets, coached by former Black Stars winger, Laryea Kingston, are aiming to end their seven-year exile from the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by triumphing in the WAFU Zone B qualifiers, and they could not have wished for a more convincing start.

 

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