2017 CAF U-17 Championship, Gabon
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How the Black Starlets fared in their spirited semi-final win over Niger
All the player ratings as Ghana defeated Niger 6-5 on penalties to qualify for the final of the 2017 Africa U-17 Championship in Gabon
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Semi-final
Ghana 0-0 Niger (6-5 on penalties)
Pulse Sports' Player Ratings
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1: GK Danlad Ibrahim 4/10
Compared to his opposite number in the Niger goal, the 14-year-old Ibrahim had a largely uneventful game. In the 86th minute, a Niger free kick flying in from about 25 yards out almost beat him, rattling off the bar. Did well to save Niger's third spot-kick with his right arm after diving to his left.
14: RB Bismark Terry Owusu 8/10
Made very forceful runs, going all out despite have a bandage over his head. His defending was flawless too. Committed performance.
2: CB John Otu 4/10
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Looked nervous, and along with Yusif, constituted a disorganized central defensive pair which made the Nigeriens have a field first half attacking from the middle. Had a scare in the 23 minute with a seeming back injury but recovered.
READ ALSO:U-17 AFCON
12: CB Abdul Razak Yusif 5/10
Struggled, along with his partner Otu, especially in the middle of the first half to deal with Niger’s strikers. Put in a great header in a 61st minute cross that came off the bar, almost giving Ghana the lead.
17: LB Rashid Alhassan 7/10
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Hardworking, combined well with Arko Mensah down the left with overlapping runs. Did a lot in opponent’s half.
10: RMF Emmanuel Toku 9/10
The stocky, left-footed Toku was skilful from the right, creative and threatening anytime he had the ball. Moved out of position at times during attacks to the team’s benefit, running amok. Crowned a brilliant game by scoring the final spot-kick to send Ghana through to the final.
18: CMF Mohammed Idriss 7/10
Had a quiet first half, but came alive in the second. Almost put Ghana in front with a left foot drive from 20 yards out in the 69th minute, and soon afterwards tore through the Nigerien defence down the right before laying the ball on for Ayiah to force a save from the Niger goalie. Scored the loveliest, cheekiest panenka during the shootouts.
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15: CMF Faisal Osman 6/10
Worked hard by covering a lot of acres in midfield while defending but contribution to team play and attack was feeble.
4: LMF Edmond Arko Mensah 6/10
Had a great first half with exciting runs and crosses from the left, but dimmed in influence in the second.
13: CF Gabriel Leveh (Sub for Ibrahim Sulley 60’) 3/10
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But for a disappointing one-on-one missed in the first half, he struggled to make his presence felt as captain Ayiah’s main support and was stretchered off injured in the 60 minute.
READ MORE: Africa U-17 Nations Cup
6: CF Eric Ayiah 5/10
The captain, who has scored five times in the tournament, had a frustrating game fraught with uncharacteristic profligacy. Early in the first half, he skied the ball after cut-back from the left from Arko Mensah, then mis-hit the ball wide off the mark on a one-on-one after being set up with a through pass.
He was denied on 65th minute on another on-on-one, poking the ball into the midsection of Nigerien keeper Khaled Ibrahim. In the 70th minute, he forced a contender for save-of-the-tournament from Ibrahim. His bad luck on the day exacerbated on the 90thminute mark when he was beaten to the ball just off the goal line after a cross from the left, thus missing a golden opportunity to steal a late winner. Then it got sealed when he missed his kick during the shootouts.
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Substitutes
7: RMF Ibrahim Sulley 5/10
Replaced Leveh in the 60th minute and failed to exert his influence – known from his explosive performances in earlier matches – on the game.
3: LB Gideon Acquah -/-
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Didn’t play enough to be rated but scored a well-taken penalty during the shootouts.
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