Black Starlets beat Ivory Coast 5-1 in WAFU Zone B opener

Ghana’s national U-17 male team, the Black Starlets saw off their Ivorian counterparts in Group A’s opener of the ongoing WAFU Zone B tournament in Accra. The mini-tournament is the qualifier for the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

A brace by Joseph Narbi in the first half put Ghana ahead before the break. However, it did not come easy as Ghana had to wait until the 27th minute to find the opener. Godfred Sarpong of Still Believe FC made it 3 for Ghana three minutes after recess before the Ivorians pulled one back two minutes later. Golden Strikers FC’s man Harve Gbafa restored Ghana’s 3-goal cushion with a goal in the 53rd minute to mark a busy 10 minutes after the break that produced 3 goals.

Theophilus Ayamga from Third World FC nearly increased Ghana’s tally in the 74th minute but saw his strike narrowly miss. Ghana waited until the first minute of injury time to put the icing on the cake through Mark Kagawa Mensah of Attram de Visser FC.

Joseph Narbi from Benab Ajax Sports Academy was adjudged the Man of the Match. Ghana will not be in action until Tuesday when they take on Benin in the final Group A match. Ivory Coast meanwhile, will dust themselves up and hope they can get a result against Benin on Saturday.