Ghana beat South Africa to reach 2013 African U-17 Championship

Published on: 01 December 2012

By Akyereko Frimpong Manson

Ghana's U17 boys, the Black Starlets, sealed their place in the 2013 African U-17 Championship after beating South Africa 2-1 in the second-leg qualifier at the Essipong Stadium on Saturday. 

Midfielder Emmanuel Boateng put Paa Kwesi Fabin's team in front in the 5th minute after converting from the spot before Emmanuel Essigba doubled the lead for Ghana mid-way through the first half.

The Starlets claimed the lions' share of possession in the first half but went to sleep in the second half as the Amajimbos returned from recess to narrow the scoring to 2-1 through Nhlakanipho Ntuli.

Ephraim Mashaba's side huffed and puffed to at least level the scoring but Ghana's Ali Mohammed pulled three world class stops to deny them an away point.

Ghana won the first-leg 3-2 at the Sinaba Stadium a fortnight ago and have qualified on a 5-3 aggregate.

Ghana failed to qualify for the previous Championship two years ago but coach Paa Kwesi Fabin will lead the Black Starlets, two-time World and African champions to the finals.

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