Ghana Win U-17 African Cup

African Nations Youth (U-17) Cup

Host Nation: Mali

On May 28, 1995 Ghana defeated reigning world U-17 champions, Nigeria, 3-1 after extra time on Sunday in the final of the first African Nations Youth (under-17) Cup competition. Guinea took third place by defeating hosts Mali 2-1 in the third-place match played earlier in the day before the finals.

Ghana dominated the championship, scoring 19 goals and conceeding only one. In the final, Ghana opened the scoring with a 9th minute goal from Dini Camara. Nigeria equalised in the 32nd minute through Benga.

Ghana wrapped up the match in extra time through goals from Bentil in the 95th minute and Christian Shaba in the 111th. It will be recalled that Nigeria has won the world U-17 soccer championship twice(1985, 1993) while Ghana has won it once in 1991. Nigeria also placed second(behind USSR) in 1987.

Ghana, Nigeria, and Guinea will represent Africa in the finals of the World Youth Cup in Quito, Ecuador, in August. Botswana, Mozambique, Sudan and Tunisia also took part in the competition. The three African representatives are expected to do well in Quito since they have all appeared in the world U-17 finals at least once. Goodluck to Ghana, Nigeria and Guinea!

RESULTS:

Final: Ghana 3 Nigeria 1 (half-time 1-1):

Scorers:

Ghana - Dini Camara (9th minute) Bentil (95th) Christian Shaba (111th)

Nigeria - Benga (32nd) Third Place Final: Guinea v Mali 2-1 (half-time 0-0): Scorers: Guinea - Ousmane Bangoura (48th minute, 100th) Mali - Dramane Coulibali (90th) This is how they won it:

May 14 :Mali-Ghana 0-1 May 15: Nigeria-Botswana 4-0 Tunisia-Mozambique 2-0 Sudan-Guinea 2-2

May 17 May 18

Mali-Tunisia Nigeria-Sudan

Ghana-Mozambique 2-0 Botswana-Guinea

May 20 May 21

Mali-Mozambique Nigeria-Guinea

Ghana-Tunisia 7-0 Botswana-Sudan May 24 (semis) Ghana - Guinea 3 - 0 Nigeria - Mali 2-1 May 27 (3rd place play-off) Guinea - Mali May 28 (final) Ghana-Nigeria 3-1