Black Starlets hold Namibia Under 20
Ghana's Under 17 National Team, the Black Starlets, and the Namibian Under 20 side settled for a goalless drawn game in an international friendly played on Tuesday at the Tema Park.
Advertisement
The encounter was part of the preparation games ahead of an U17 championship qualifier to be played against Liberia.
Coach Samuel Paa Kwesi Fabin was not daunted by the stature and age difference against the Namibians, and exhibited some grit and power coupled with skill and speed.
The first half ended goalless with the Starlets dominating play and coming close to netting the opener but the trio of Ibrahim Sulley, Emmanuel Toku and Aminu Mohammed shot off target.
The second half resumed on a fiery note and in the 53rd minute, Abdul Razak Yussif's half volley in front of Namibia's penalty spot area bounced off the pitch for a goal kick.
Though the Namibians were tall and big, the rather smallish Ghanaians resisted them on a number of occasions by going round them but failed to utilize their chances.
This is the first competitive game for the Starlets since they returned from a tournament in Namibia about a month and half ago.
But for Coach Fabin, the game was an important exercise, and he expressed the hope to build on it to get the boys ready for the task ahead.
"Some of my boys are writing examinations and are not in the team. I believe when they all come back, the team will take its shape and hopefully gel as expected," he said.
The Namibians, who are also preparing for the Africa Youth Championship qualifier against South Africa, are in Accra on a two-week training tour.