5 star Ghana keep hopes alive

Ghana’s dream of reaching the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time were kept alive as they cruised to a 5-0 win over Uruguay at Baku’s Bavil Stadium. Having never made it past the group stage in two attempts, the Africans were eager to assert their dominance over Uruguay, which they did from the very first minute. After a succession of chances in the opening stages, they broke the deadlock as early as the eight minute when Jane Ayieyam headed home Sherifatu Sumaila’s corner. Although the pace slackened after the deadlock was broken, Ghana never lost control and doubled their advantage in the 24th minute when Priscilla Okyere headed home from the edge of the box. Ghana made it three on the stroke of half-time when Regina Antwi’s ball found Alberta Aialey on the edge of the box. Anabel Ubal rushed off her line to claim the ball from Aialey’s feet, but the ball slipped from her grasp and the forward was handed a simple opportunity to score. Two goals in as many minutes completed the rout in the second half against a tiring Uruguay. Fatima AlHassan made it four in the 78th minute and 60 seconds later Okyere scored her second of the game. Ghana will now be hoping for a positive result from their final game against China in Baku on Sunday to ensure their progression to the last eight. FIFA