FIFA U-17 World Cup: Ghana vs Mali clash dominated by battle of ‘odd’ jerseys

The polestars of soccer teams usually wear jersey number 10 or 9. Ask Pele, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane, or Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Gerd Muller and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But the spotlight of the quarterfinal between two-time champions Ghana and Mali is on two jerseys sporting numbers usually not associated with the best in the business.

Ghana expects captain and striker Eric Ayiah to carry on the kind of form that saw him net two goals against India in the group states and convert a penalty against Niger in the pre-quarters. Ayiah wears 6 on his back.

The number isn't just lucky for the 17-year-old. It keeps him associated with a date associated with his existence as well as his country on Africa's western coast.

'My birthday is same as my country's independence day - March 6. This is the reason why I have never opted for any other number since I started playing,' he said ahead of the knockout match that would leave one African team in contention for the title.

Ayiah was the second highest goal scorer in the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, but the Cristiano Ronaldo fan was off target when it mattered most - the final of the tournament less than six months ago.

If either Mali or Ghana goes on to become champions, it will be three in a row for Africa. Nigeria had beaten Mexico 3-0 to win their maiden title in 2013 and retained it in 2015 by defeating Mali 2-0.

'Mali could not cross the last hurdle two years ago but our team brought joy to Malians by winning the African championships earlier this year. There is no reason why we cannot make our people happy again,' said striker and captain Seme Camara, Mali's number 9.

Mali did not have the best start in Group B. They lost to Paraguay 3-2 but won their next two matches against Turkey (3-0) and New Zealand (3-1) before thrashing Iraq 5-1 in the Group of 16.

Ghana topped Group A with wins against Colombia (1-0) and (India 4-0) sandwiched between a 0-1 defeat to the USA. The Africans beat Niger from the same continent 2-0 in the pre-quarterfinals.

If either Mali or Ghana goes on to become champions, it will be three in a row for Africa. Nigeria had beaten Mexico 3-0 to win their maiden title in 2013 and retained it in 2015 by defeating Mali 2-0.

'Mali could not cross the last hurdle two years ago but our team brought joy to Malians by winning the African championships earlier this year. There is no reason why we cannot make our people happy again,' said striker and captain Seme Camara, Mali's number 9.

Mali did not have the best start in Group B. They lost to Paraguay 3-2 but won their next two matches against Turkey (3-0) and New Zealand (3-1) before thrashing Iraq 5-1 in the Group of 16.

Ghana topped Group A with wins against Colombia (1-0) and (India 4-0) sandwiched between a 0-1 defeat to the USA. The Africans beat Niger from the same continent 2-0 in the pre-quarterfinals.

Source: Hindustan Times