Starlets off to a flier

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Ghana's Black Starlets got off on a brighter note in their campaign to the 8th African U-17 championship when they chalked a 3-0 win over their Libyan counterparts in the first round leg clash at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra on Saturday.

First half strikes from Frank Acheampong and Felix Adjei with another in the second half by substitute Kwame Nzor gave the Starlets a comfortable lead ahead of the second leg in a Tripoli in a fortnight's time.

The Starlets team were however unimpressive as they played as if there was nothing at stake despite flashes of brilliance from Achempong, Mahatma Otto and Mohamed Alhassan.

After the six minute mark, Acheampong broke the deadlock with a feeble shot that gazed the post before kissing the net after he was put through by Alhassan.

Eight minutes on Adjei consolidated the lead for the Starlets by connecting home captain Kwame Nkrumah's free-kick from the right flank.

The Starlets continued to dominate the one-sided game but the strikers were wasteful in front of goal.

The Libyans who showed occasional brilliance resumed the second half on a bright note and could only boast of Mohamed Ghani's near miss in the 76th minute.

Starlets coach Emmanuel Kwasi Afranie brought on lanky striker Nsor on 58 minutes and it paid off a minute later when he soared above the defenders to head home beautifully after he was fed by Acheampong.

The Libyan goalie Emmadir Ragab was the hero for his side over the last ten minutes as he denied the Starlets with spectacular saves in the 81st, 83rd and 88th minutes.

The second leg will come off in Tripoli on Friday, September 12.

The winner after both legs will face the winner of the clash between Gambia and Sierra Leone in the final round. Line Up:
Ghana – James Nkansah, Kwame Frimpong/Aaron Amoah, Isaac Eshun, Ibrahim Moro, Ainooson Abeiku, Masawudu Basit, Mohammed Alhassan/Moro Mubarak, Mohammed Fatau, Mahatma Otoo, Frank Acheampong, Felix Adjei/Kwame Nsor

Libya – Emmadir Ragab, Mohamed El Manir, Mutasem Guma, Ahmed Eltrbi, Rabel Kaaber, Mohamed Elfezz, Hassan Khalifa/Mohamed Doza, Abdul Malik Alyam, Mohmaed Shiwi, Mohamed Gani/Abdallah Jadid, Sami Alghulla/Majdi Belgas