The Black Starlets opened their WAFU B U-17 Cup of Nations campaign with an emphatic win over Côte d’Ivoire in Group A.
A Joseph Narbi first-half brace got things started for Laryea Kingston’s side who went on to record a 5-1 win at the University of Ghana Stadium.
Joseph Narbi opened the scoring for the Black Starlets in the 27th minute of the game.
Mark Kagawa Mensah sent in a delightful dunk over the top into the box and the winger was on hand to hit it on the first attempt to put Ghana ahead.
Narbi continued his scoring form moments later. This time, the No. 11-shirted man had a clean strike after a failed clearance from a corner.
His low effort beat the Côte d’Ivoire goalkeeper and found its way into the back of the net.
Ghana carried the two-goal lead into the break and looked comfortable from there.
Immediately after the recess, Kingston’s boys struck again.
Godfred Sarpong finished a sweet move from the side which involved a sequence of passing.
Narbi squeezed a pass through for Sarpong who lifted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.
Côte d’Ivoire gave themselves a lifeline two minutes later to make it 3-1.
However, Ghana’s three-goal advantage was restored. Harve Gbafa beat his marker to head in Benjamin Tsevanyo’s cross from a corner kick.
In all of these, Ghana’s goalkeeper, Michael Armah had come up on big occasions to deny the Ivorians on several occasions.
Theophilus Ayamga should have made it five for the Black Stars in the 75th minute of the game but his weaker foot effort just went wide of the post.
Just when Ghana looked to have stepped their foot off the pedal, Mark Kagawa Mensah netted a fifth to put the game beyond the reach of their counterparts.
The win sends Ghana top of their group.
They face Benin in their next game.
Credit: Lawrence De-graft Baidoo