Black Maidens 2012- First African Team to reach Semi Final of FIFA World Under 17

The Black Maidens will receive the National Team of the year Award at the upcoming SWAG Awards Night to be held on June 29, 2013.

Striker Priscilla Okyere, who scored some wonderful goals will also get the Best Female Footballer of the year Award, while she will contest for the Sports Personality of the year Award.

Azerbaijan 2012 There was a major shock in store when the knockout phase began, as Ghana pulled off a 1-0 defeat of Japan, the only side to reach the last eight with a 100 per cent record. With the Chinese falling at the group stage, that left Korea DPR, 2-1 quarter-final winners over Canada, as the AFC’s sole standard bearers. It was changed days from Trinidad and Tobago 2010, when three Asian sides advanced to the last four.

Progressing along with the North Koreans and first-time semi-finalists Ghana were European champions Germany and the team they beat to win the continental crown, France.

Having already routed Gambia and beaten the Nigerians on penalties in the previous round, Les Bleuettes took another African scalp when they ended the Black Maidens’ run, both of France’s goals coming from striker Kadidiatou Diani, who is of Malian extraction. In the other semi, 2008 champions Korea DPR reprised their quarter-final elimination of the Germans two years ago by edging to a 2-1 win against their out-of-sorts opponents.

Germany’s woes continued in the match for third place when they went down 1-0 to a Ghana side reduced to ten for the best part of an hour, the Black Maidensbecoming the first African team to take a place on the podium at a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. France also made history in seeing off Korea DPR in the Final, winning the country’s first FIFA women’s title, with their outstanding centre-half Griedge Mbock Bathy also receiving the adidas Golden Ball. Azerbaijan 2012 began as it ended, with music, this time provided by Shakira and the infectious rhythms of her 'Waka Waka' hit, bringing an appropriately colourful curtain down on a wonderful tournament.

Participating countries Azerbaijan, Brazil, Canada, China PR, Colombia, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Korea DPR, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Uruguay, USA

Final standings

1. France 2. Korea DPR 3. Ghana 4. Germany

Venues Baku (Dalga Arena, Tofig Bahramov Stadium, Bayil Stadium, 8Km Stadium, Shafa Stadium) and Lankaran (Lankaran City Stadium) Attendance 257,766 (8,055 average)

Goals 119 (3.72 per match)

Top scorers 1. Ri Un Sim (Korea DPR) - 8 goals

2. Chinwendu Ihezuo (Nigeria) - 6 goals

3. Halimatu Ayinde (Nigeria) - 4 goals

Awards

adidas Golden Ball: Griedge Mbock Bathy (France)

adidas Golden Boot: Ri Un Sim (Korea DPR)

adidas Golden Glove: Romane Bruneau (France)

FIFA Fair Play Award: Japan