Ghana’s Priscilla Mensah (in white) in action against Benin
The Black Maidens of Ghana opened their 2024 WAFU Zone B U17 Girls Cup campaign with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Benin, thanks to a dazzling first-half hat-trick from Christiana Ashiaku.
Playing at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence on Thursday, December 15, the host nation wasted no time asserting their dominance. Priscilla Mensah set the tone with a clinical finish just six minutes into the game, putting Ghana ahead early.
The Black Maidens continued to pile on the pressure, and in the 17th minute, Christiana Ashiaku doubled the lead with a well-taken goal. As the first half wore on, Ashiaku’s brilliance came to the fore, as she netted twice in quick succession to complete her hat-trick, giving Ghana an unassailable 4-0 lead by halftime.
Despite a spirited second-half response from Benin, who managed to score a consolation goal, the Black Maidens remained in control of the match, securing a comfortable win and all three points in their tournament opener.
The victory marks a strong start for Ghana in the competition, with Christiana Ashiaku emerging as the standout performer, showcasing her immense talent and goal-scoring prowess.
The Black Maidens will look to build on this momentum as they aim for glory on home soil with many Ghanaians keen on a host and win.
