African Schools Football Championship final: Ghana’s Black Damsels eye revenge, title defence
Ghana’s Black Damsels are one win away from retaining their continental crown after grinding out a tense 1-0 victory over Zambia yesterday to book a place in the final of the CAF African Schools Football Championship in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The Ghanaians will face northern neighbours Burkina Faso in the final today, with the Burkinabes booking their place after edging Morocco by the same 1-0 margin, courtesy of a long-range strike from Aminatta Diarra.
Defending girls champions Ghana once again leaned on discipline, structure and cutting-edge efficiency, with Blessing Tettey striking as early as the seventh minute to settle a fiercely contested semi-final.
For the Damsels, today’s final represents more than just another fixture; it is a shot at back-to-back titles and further confirmation of their dominance at the pinnacle of schools’ football on the continent.
Road to final
Coach Sandra Boakye’s girls opened their campaign in emphatic fashion, demolishing Guinea 6-0 to send an early warning to the rest of the field.
That statement victory was followed by a hard-fought 2-1 win over Tanzania, where Christiana Ashiaku’s brace proved the difference in a tightly contested encounter.
Ghana’s only setback came in their final Group B match, where they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Burkina Faso in a cagey encounter. However, earlier results ensured their safe passage into the semi-finals.
Today’s all-West African final sets up a compelling rematch, with both sides having already tested each other’s resolve.
However, Ghana will draw confidence from their growing rhythm, defensive solidity and proven ability to deliver in decisive moments.
At stake is not only continental glory but a significant financial reward, with the winners of both the boys’ and girls’ competitions earning US$300,000.
The runners-up will receive US$200,000, while third-place finishers take home US$150,000.
In the boys’ competition, Senegal will face Uganda in the final after a dominant 4-0 victory over Morocco, while Uganda edged past Benin on penalties.
