A brace from the Black Maidens captain Mukarama Abdulai was all Ghana needed to top Group A with nine points to set up a meeting with Mexico in the quarterfinal stage of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup ongoing in Uruguay.
The Black Maidens defeated New Zealand 2-0 in their last Group A match on Tuesday to maintain a clean sheet having thrashed hosts Uruguay, and Finland 0-5 and 3-1 respectively.
Ghana amassed nine points with a nine goal difference.
Abdulai’s brace puts her on six goals being Ghana’s and the competition’s highest goal scorer.
Head coach of the Black Maidens Evans Adotey’s charges began the game on a slow pace until heading into the first half where Ghana started pilling pressure on New Zealand.
Mukarama was gifted with a couple golden opportunities to register her name on the scoresheet but were wasted.
It was after recess the Northern ladies striker lobbied the ball over New Zealand’s goalie.
It was all joy for the Ghanaian side who were sure of baging the maximum points on the day.
After the goal, the Black Maidens started playing with great energy threatening the defense of the opponent.
This handed Ghana the second goal when Abdulai punished the opponent in the 89th minute with a tremendous finish for a misplaced pass from New Zealand.
The brace against New Zealand is her 18th international goal in the last 5 matches for the Black Maidens.
Ghana would face Mexico in the next phase of the competition in Montevideo on Sunday, November 25, for her fourth successive quarter final berth at the FIFA U17 Women’s World cup.
