Ghana beat Colombia in U-17 World Cup opener

Ghana defeated Colombia 1-0 in the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup Group A match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Friday.

The victory takes Ghana’s Black Starlets to the top of the Group A standings, while the Junior Coffee Growers are placed fourth on the table.

The match got off to a lively start with Ghana striker Eric Ayiah’s effort narrowly missing the target just 11 minutes into the game.

Jaminton Campaz, the Colombia forward, also had a chance to score two minutes later, but he was denied by Ghana goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad.

Sadiq Ibrahim thought he had handed Ghana the lead in the 25th minute, but the midfielder was ruled offside.

However, the Sadiq did break the deadlock in the 39th minute – beating Colombia keeper Kevin Mier to make it 1-0 to Ghana.

The 2017 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) runners-up Ghana then contained Colombia in the remaining minutes of the first-half and they were leading 1-0 at half-time.

However, Ghana continue to attack with Mohammed Kudus unleashing a long-rang effort which missed the target in the 58th minute.

Issac Gyamfi, an attack-minded player, was introduced by Ghana coach Paa Kwesi Fabin in the 75th minute as the African side looked to double their lead.

Colombia, who finished fourth in the 2017 South American Under-17 Championship, could not beat Ghana keeper Danlad in the closing stages.

As a result, the 1991 and 1995 U17 World Cup champions Ghana secured a 1-0 victory over Colombia on the day.

Ben Nwachukwu, Abuja