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21.04.2014 Sports News

Ghana U17 win four-nation tournament in Namibia

By ghanasoccernet.com
Black Starlets beat German side Westphalia to win four-nation tournament in Namibia.Black Starlets beat German side Westphalia to win four-nation tournament in Namibia.
21.04.2014 LISTEN

Ghana's U17 won the four-nation international friendly tournament in Namibia after edging  German side Westphalia 4-2 on penalties on Sunday.

Two sides drew 1-1 after an entertaining and balanced 90 minutes under the floodlights at the Swakopmund Sports Complex.

When the two sides met in the group stage last Wednesday, Ghana were 3-0 winners but on Sunday night, the Germans, Westphalia came back strong.

Westphalia took the lead through Tobias Tellio, who unleashed a thunderous shot from 30 metres out into the far top left corner and go into the break 1-0 in front.

The Black Starlets came out for the second half with a stirred up display and were in full control with the tournament's top goal scorer Abass Issah leading the attack and supported by Kofi Amoakoa, Isaac Twum, Henry Medarious and midfield strong man Joseph Paintsil.

But the Westphalia defence stood firm with Captain Frederick Lach commanding the rear-guard that included Till Schumacher, Maurice Reib and Gert Sahim.

However, Ghana's persistence paid off and it was yet again another moment of brilliance as Collins Tanor hit an unstoppable shot from 25 metres out that flew past Westphalia goalkeeper Leon Bruggemier.

The search for the winner was dramatic and absorbing, but in the end the two sides settled for one-all draw and penalties had to decide the tie.

In the shoot-pout, Tobias Tellio scored for Westphalia and Emmanuel Sowah equalised for Ghana before Keanu Stande's kick was saved by Kwesi Asiedu and teammate Cagatay Kader shot over for Westphalia, while Amoakoa and Issah converted for Ghana.

Fabian Reese scored Westphalia's fourth and it was up to Henry Medarious to strike and clinch victory for Ghana, and he did just that.

The eight games of the tournament saw 21 goals scored and Abass Issah emerged topscorer with four goals, two more than teammates Kofi Amoakoa and Hendry Medarious.

South Africa won bronze after beating hosts Namibia 2-0.

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