Lome, March 20, GNA - Ghana's Black Starlets coach, Fred Osam Duodo has said that his side was cheated in their 1-2 semi final loss to host Togo in the African U-17 Championship game played at the Kegue Stadium on Tuesday.

The coach has focused all blame at the door steps of the Cameroonian referee Omgba Zing who handled the game.

Coach Duodo told the media after the game that "I don't want to answer questions because we got cheated by the referee.

"He intimidated my boys with unwarranted cards and that made them too cautious to even play their game plan.

"One of our players was even fouled during a goal-mouth struggle which gave Togo the second goal but which the referee blatantly ignored.

"We also had a penalty ignored and severally got punished for no wrong done. We feel cheated and unable to accept the results".

Referee Zing had been at the centre of inconsistencies when Ghana lost to Nigeria 0-2 at the last group game and the Starlets had done all but publicly protest his usage in the game.

Coach Duodo had a few harsh words for the host who will alongside Ghana, Nigeria and Tunisia represent Africa at the world summit in the Republic of Korea later in the month.

"I will advise my neighbors to prepare well for the World Cup because I have been there and clearly know the consequences of using the back door to get results".

Ghana relinquished an early lead to lose the game 1-2 to the Young Hawks of Togo.

The Starlets who were nursing a dream of making it treble in the history of the competition did not live up to their potential throughout the durationof the game.

Ghana will next meet Tunisia who were beating 2-0 by Nigeria for the third place position.