Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini’s dream of qualifying for the next round of the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers hangs by a thread, following a 1-6 loss to Ghana at home.
Despite a bright start, scoring inside five minutes through Nkosephayo Nkambule; the visiting Black Princesses of Ghana turned the game on its head in the third round qualifying clash played at a rain-soaked Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday. The game was dominated by the continuous stops due to injuries of the home team’s players. Moments after the injury of forward Neliswa Ngcamphalala, Eswatini launched a quick attack, with Nkambule nodding home the opener with a neat header in the fifth minute. It did not take long for Ghana to level matters, with defender Mercy Attobrah bulldozing her way into the box to beat the goalkeeper, Nompilo Dlamini, from close range in the 11th minute.
It was one-way traffic, with the away side in full command of the match. It was no surprise when midfielder Beline Nyarkoh converted beautifully with a glancing header from an Abigail Sakyiwaa corner kick. Beline was causing all sorts of trouble for Eswatini. Ghana took the slender 2-1 lead to the break. Ghana remained in control on resumption of play. In the 49th minute, the Ghanaians stretched their lead in fine style. Wasima Mohammed pulled a rabbit out of the hat, as she fired home a long range stunner from about 25 yards out. The kingdom’s girls kept the visiting goalkeeper Afi Amenyuki underemployed between the sticks, as they hardly fired shots.
punished
The hosts were again punished by a Wasima corner kick, which was connected beautifully by Sarah Nyarko in the 59th minute. Meanwhile, Eswatini’s Nkambule turned villain as she failed to clear another Wasima corner, scoring an own goal in the 79th minute. The Black Princesses hit the last nail in the coffin with Mercy Attobrah’s brace in the 85th minute. There was no coming back for the hosts with no shot on target for the entire second half. Dlamini’s numerous efforts to save her team from Ghana’s wrath proved futile when visiting referee Nuusiku Shangula from Namibia blew her final whistle. The home team’s worst fears were confirmed. They need to score a minimum of four unanswered goals to progress to the next round. Eswatini is expected to visit Ghana for the second leg match next Sunday.
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