2017 U17 FIFA World Cup: Mali upstage Ghana twice in six months, enter semis

Published on: 21 October 2017

Goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim’s error sealed Ghana’s fate in the 61st minute of the first rain-drenched quarterfinal of the FIFA U-17 World Cup at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here on Saturday evening.

But midfielder Kudus Mohammed would perhaps return home the unhappiest of Ghana’s players for pushing an opponent in the Mali box a fraction of a second before Ibrahim Sulley scored what would have been Ghana’s equaliser in the 40th minute.

Mohammed converted a 72nd minute penalty to narrow the scoreline 2-1 after Mali defender Fode Konate brought down substitute Lassana Ndiaye in the box.

Ghana pay the price

But his first-half misadventure and Ibrahim’s ‘brain fade’ moment in the second half were not what Ghana coach Samuel Kwasi Fabin would have prescribed against a faster, more dominant Mali, who had denied Ghana their third U-17 African Cup of Nations title six months ago in Gabon.

Mali adapted better to the wet, soggy conditions to dictate the pace of the match, earning two free-kicks in the first three minutes of play.

Forward Hadji Drame drew first blood for Mali in the 15th minute with a solo run from the right flank after a pass from midfielder Djemoussa Traore. Mali came close to scoring at least twice before the break.

Mali’s pace pays

There was no change in the script in the second half as Mali pushed the pace. The attack paid dividend in the 61st minute as Traore pounced on an Ibrahim lapse to help Mali go 2-0 up.

The victory has given Mali, the lone African team standing, an opportunity to add the U-17 World Cup title to their Cup of Nations triumph this year. That will make it three-in-a-row for the continent.

Nigeria had won the World Cup in 2013 and 2015.

“Our boys overcame soggy conditions to score a memorable victory over a good side. But we have to be better in the semi-final,” Mali coach Jonas Kokou Komla said.

His Ghana counterpart Fabin wished Mali the best for Africa. He agreed the goal disallowed made the difference to a match that could have been decided on penalties.

Credit: Hindustantimes

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more