Black Maidens trounce Zambia 4-0

Accra, Feb 17, GNA - The National U-17 women's team, the Black Maidens booked a place in the first round of the qualifying rounds of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup after thrashing their Zambian counterparts 4-0 in the second leg encounter of the preliminary round at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium, Accra on Sunday.

A brace from talented midfielder Elizabeth Addo coupled with a goal each by Deborah Afriyie and Mary Essiful aided the Black Maidens to move a step closer to reaching their dream of participating in the first ever edition of the FIFA Women's U-17 World Cup slated for New Zealand later in the year, as the sailed through on a 6-0 aggregate.

With a two-goal lead from the first leg in Lusaka a fortnight, the host exhibited their quest for the double moments after Guinean referee Sagno Theresa had signaled both teams into action, with the launch of several attacks into the Zambian's half.

The efforts of the host team yielded results by the second minute mark with Addo connecting home from close range.

The Ghanaians looked more purposeful in front of goal, thanks to the swift passes and individual brilliance by the players against the Zambians, who fumbled most of the time anytime they had possession. In the 21st minute, Afriyie tapped in from close range following a move initiated by captain Mary Myles to confirm their dominance over the Zambians.

The Maidens resumed the second half more strongly as they pinned the visitors to their own half and succeeded in getting the third goal through midfielder Addo, who finished off a solo move from enterprising substitute Henrietta Dadson after the 76th minute mark. Essiful completed the rout with a perfect strike a minute from time after several unsuccessful attempts.

Meanwhile as the Maidens went on a victory lap to the cheers of the home crowd made up mostly of students and pupils from various schools, as well as mothers and other football fans, the Zambians could not control their tears as they hugged each other into the resting rooms and it took them more than 20 minutes to board their bus to leave the stadium. The Maidens will next meet the winner of the Zimbabwe-DR Congo clash in the next round. Three teams will represent the continent in the first ever edition of the tournament.