Maidens qualify for World Cup

Accra, July 5, GNA - Ghana's Under 17 Women's team, the Black Maidens has become the second African side to qualify for the first ever FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup scheduled for New Zealand later in October, after they chalked an away 2-1 win over their Cameroon counterparts to book their place.

The Maidens braced the odds to post the impressive 2-1 win over Cameroon in the reverse fixture in Yaounde on Saturday afternoon, in the ultimate qualifier.

The Ghanaian ladies lost the first leg 1-2 in Accra in June but with the victory they will thus join Nigeria, who have already qualified as the continent's representatives for the World Cup to be hosted by New Zealand.

Prior to the Saturday's decider, the Black Maidens were at the bottom of the three team group with only three points but have now finished on six points on the final day of qualifiers with only a point behind Nigeria's Falconets, who finished top of the lot with seven points.

After the Maidens suffered two successive defeats in the qualifying campaign, they managed to pick the pieces last weekend when they chalked a 1-0 victory of the much fancied Nigerian side in Accra to stay in contention for a place at the World Cup before wrapping up a spot in New Zealand with the victory over Cameroon.

Information gathered by GNA Sports indicates that the Ghanaians have been put in Group B at the World Cup to join Germany, Korea DPR and a team from the Confederation of the North, Central America and Caribbean Football Association (CONCACAF).

The Black Maidens would open their Group B campaign against Korea DPR in Christchurch on October 29 before taking on Germany three days later with the final group match against the CONCACAF representative. The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup will be hosted by New Zealand from October 28 to November 16, 2008.