Black Maidens dominate Niger 6-1 to edge closer to WAFU B U-17 glory

Ghana's Black Maidens continued their impressive campaign at the WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup with a devastating 6-1 triumph over Niger on Thursday, recording their third win in four matches and firmly establishing themselves as tournament contenders.

Coach Nana Joe Adarkwa's side put on a display of clinical attacking football, recovering from an early setback to overwhelm their West African opponents. Niger's aggressive start yielded an early goal just two minutes into the encounter, but Ghana's response was swift and decisive, signalling their intent for the remainder of the match.

Ghana's comeback and second-half dominance

Anita Yeboah restored parity for the Black Maidens in the tenth minute before Daniella Abass restored Ghana's advantage with a well-taken effort that struck the crossbar before finding the net. The momentum continued to shift in Ghana's favour as Zeinab Shani extended the lead to 3-1 before the interval, putting Ghana in control heading into the second half.

The second period proved even more catastrophic for Niger as Ghana's attacking prowess became virtually unstoppable. Anita Yeboah added her second of the match after a penetrating run, before Seidatu Wahab converted a direct free kick to make it five. Sekina Amadu capped off the comprehensive victory with the sixth goal, demonstrating the depth and quality within Adarkwa's squad.

Tournament progress and remaining fixture

With three victories from their opening four matches, Ghana has positioned themselves as strong contenders for the championship. The Black Maidens will conclude their WAFU B campaign against Côte d'Ivoire on the final day of competition, where a positive result could secure significant advancement in the tournament standings.

Why it matters for Ghana

The Black Maidens' dominant performances at the WAFU B U-17 Girls Cup reflect the growing competitiveness of Ghana's youth football development programme. Success at this level is crucial for identifying and nurturing young talent who may go on to represent Ghana at senior international level and the African Cup of Nations. The scoreline also demonstrates Ghana's technical superiority and tactical discipline in West African youth football, reinforcing the nation's standing as a regional powerhouse in women's football. This tournament serves as an important platform for the players to gain competitive international experience before progressing through Ghana's football pyramid.