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30.05.2007 General News

GHANA'S DAMSELS WIN GOLD

30.05.2007 LISTEN
By Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah

Ghana's Under-14 female team after showing off their flair led Africa's charge to win the "Home of FIFA" Trophy in the FIFA U-14 International Tournament for girls.

The maiden 7-aside Exhibition Tournament organized by FIFA was players born after January 1, 1993 was played on the brand new FIFA Football Turf next door to the beautiful new home of the world's governing body for football.

Ghana's team, the Golden Damsels made sure that some 1,300 association delegates and guest attending the FIFA Congress who had braced through persistent rain and temperatures that had fallen considerably overnight managed to catch a glimpse of their exciting blend of football.

The Golden Damsels team, coached by experienced manager, Francis Oti Akenteng brushed aside host nation, Switzerland in the opening game winning 1-0 and increased their scoring rate after dispatching Tahiti, 4-0 in the second match of the six-team competition played within 20 minutes of regulation time.

The Golden Damsels after that high scoring win booked their place for the finals where they came up tops courtesy a 3-2 win over Costa Rica on penalties after drawing goalless in regulation time.

Chile and Thailand are the other teams that participated in the girl's competition.

In the boys division, South Africa also picked up gold.

The games were part of the festivities surrounding the inauguration of the new Home of FIFA in Zurich.

"Young people are the future of our sport and it is only fitting to stage such a competition on the day that we open the doors of the Home of FIFA to the world," said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.

"I am delighted that FIFA was able to host such an important tournament and I have no doubt that it was an unforgettable experience for the girls and boys.

No matter the results, the most important thing was that they enjoyed this opportunity to meet new friends from all over the globe who share a passion for the beautiful game."

Boys and girls representing 12 different countries in two separate U-14 tournaments took part in the Exhibition Tournament in Zurich.

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