The Black Princesses of Ghana have qualified for their sixth FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup tournament after edging out Ethiopia in the final round of the qualifiers at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The team coached by Ben Fokuo beat the Ethiopians 2-1 on the afternoon; this was after they have recorded a 3-0 scoreline in the first leg in Addis Ababa a week ago.
Striker Salamatu Abdulai gave Ghana an early lead in the second minute after controlling a long pass in the Ethiopian half before slotting home the ball into the net.
In the 25th minute, Salamatu grabbed a brace from a Cecilia Nyama’s through pass to complete the job for the Princesses.
The Ethiopians reduced the deficit four minutes later with a superb header from Temesgen Mesay after a well-rehearsed free-kick to end the first half 2-1 in Ghana’s favor.
Back from recess, the second department of the game produced a scintillating display but neither the host nor the away team managed to add to their tally.
The Lucy’s of Ethiopia kept Ghana busy till the 86 minute when goalkeeper Cynthia Fiindib Konlan was sent off for handling the ball outside the box following a save she had made to denied the away side an equalizer.
Winger, Suzzy Dede Teye, was then sacrifice for second goalkeeper Grace Banwa to replace Cynthia who saw her matching orders four minutes before full-time.
