The Ghana Black Maidens crashed out of the U17 Women’s World Cup, losing 4-2 on penalties to Mexico.
The Maidens came into the game in inspired form, winning all group games and conceding only once, but on Sunday they failed to make it to the semi final of the World Cup after drawing 2-2 in full time and losing the subsequent shoot out to the resilient Mexicans.
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The Maidens started the first half brightly but striker Mukarama Abdulai was limited to few to no chances as she had very little to fend on in terms of chances. The first half ended goalless.
The second would however be different as 2 mins in a deflected cross found Mukarama in space and she thumped home the header to send Ghana in to the lead.That goal made her the highest goal scorer in the history of the U17 women’s world cup.
The Maidens at this point looked set to see the game out despite there being more time left on the clock. The Mexicans fought back however and were controversially awarded a penalty when strier Nicole Perez seemed to clip herself in the box but the referee deemed it a foul on her and she pulled Mexico back into the game from the spot.
Ghana restored their lead in the 75th minute from substitute Suzzy Teye but failed to once again secure their back line when a seemingly harmless free kick from 35 yards by Perez somehow managed to beat the Maidens keeper.
The game ended 2-2 and went to a shootout. Ghana missed two of their spot kicks from Justice Annan and Oppong with Mexico netting all four.
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Ghana will be sorely disappointed after so much promise was shown by the ladies but the were positives to look at and that will be paramount.
Mexico move on and will face winner of Germany vs Canada in the last quarter final.
