Princesses hammer Senegal

Yesterday’s Under-20 Women's World Cup qualifier between Ghana and Senegal turned into a one-sided affair as the Black Princesses thumped the visiting team 6-0 at the Accra Sports stadium.

The emphatic scoreline and the manner in which the Princesses took their opponents to the cleaners was indicative of the great potential of the Ghana team, as they began the quest for a third World Cup appearance next year in Papua New Guinea.

The Princesses got off to an early quick start in the second minute when Sandra Owusu-Ansah latched on to a through ball from Jane Ayieyam, deep in the box to register the first goal.

Fatima Alhassan made it 2-0 for Ghana 15 minutes later, converting a spot kick awarded after a Senegalese defender handled the ball in the penalty box.

The Princesses dominated their Senegalese counterparts who could only adopt an all-defensive strategy to avoid going down heavily.
With a fluid midfield marshalled by captain Alhassan, the Princesses took the game to their Senegalese counterpart who were forced to play most part of the game in their half. By the end of the first half, Ghana were in a comfortable 4-0 lead through goals by Princella Adubea (32nd minute) and Ayieyam (41st).

Senegal resumed the second half with a revised strategy, opening up a bit in a bid to also probe for goals, but that approach also soon fizzled out as the Princesses took charge again and created many scoring chances.

Hardworking and fearless Ayieyam was rewarded with her personal second goal and Ghana's fifth when she capitalised on a goalkeeping error by Ndoye Dieynaba Diop and the striker headed home the ball after the goalkeeper failed to grab a long lob.

Substitute Wasila Diwura Soale completed the rout on the stroke of 90 minutes by completing a move that almost went wayward.
Princesses coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, who took over from Bashir Hayford only last week, was satisfied with the performance of his team, but said the real task was yet to start.

"It was no doubt a good performance from the young ladies. They played to instruction and did what was needed of them. Unfortunately, this is only the beginning as the qualifiers have just begun, There is more work ahead, even for the second leg in Dakar so we will be preparing for that," said the coach, who led Ghana a bronze medal at the 2012 Under-17 Women’s World Cup, told the Daily Graphic.

Ghana: Victoria Antwi Agyei, Kate Adu- Agyemang, Faustina Ampah, Belinda Anane, Naomi Anima, Fatima Alhassan, Laardi Issaka/ Lily Niber-Lawrence, Sandra Owusu-Ansah, Princella Adubea/ Veronica Appiah, Jane Ayieyam, Gladys Amfobea/ Wasila Diwura-Soale,