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Soccer News of Monday, 17 March 2014

Source: Sammy Heywood Okine

Black Maidens going for Gold in Costa Rica

Ghana’s Under 17 team, the Black Maidens brought smiles and joy to many people and homes in Africa when they won their first game against Korea DRP at the 2014 FIFA Under 17 World Cup in Costa Rica.

The victory indicates that the team led by coach Evans Adotey is determined to improve upon their achievement the last time when they reached the third place position in Azerbaijan.

Over the past years, Ghanaian teams have not started tournaments well with a win and this will certainly push the team on top of their group and motivate them to win again to qualify.

The experience gathered by some of the young players is paying off and they have to be motivated to give their best and grab the ultimate. Coach Dini Dramani took them to the bronze and now his assistant in charge wants to to better because there are many players in the squad who participated in the late World Cup two years ago.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Elvis Afriyie- Ankrah is in Costa Rica to assure the girls of government support and his presence seem to be doing the trick for the team.

The players told yours truly before departure that they are going for the gold. Jane Ayieyam, the SWAG Best Female Footballer said they have to improve upon their performance and gold is the target.

Coach Adotey has done a good job in grooming the Maidens 2014 to the level and standard they are playing. He has proved that there are very good coaches in Ghana and the players must now go all out and win all their matches to the final.

Striker Sandra Owusu-Ansah was voted the ‘Player of the Match’ in Ghana’s 2-0 win over Korea DPR at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

She scored the Black Maidens’ second goal and was presented with a “Live Your Goals” certificate after the game on Saturday, following her selection by FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG).

Owusu-Ansah picked up an injury in the 55th minute and was replaced by Princella Adubea.

“Live Your Goals” was launched at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011 and has since evolved as one of FIFA’s most recognised initiatives for women’s football.