FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017, Ghana vs Niger, Football Match Result: Ghana beat Niger to book spot in quarter-finals

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ROUND OF 16 - NAVI MUMBAI
🇬🇭Ghana 2-0 Niger🇳🇪
Black Starlets win all-African clash pic.twitter.com/OW0Q8Y7jzO

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) October 18, 2017

Full time! Ghana 2-0 Niger

Eric Ayiah’s first-half penalty and a belter of a goal from substitute Richard Danso gives Ghana a 2-0 victory over Niger. Ghana dominated the match right from the first minute and they deservedly go through to the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Even though Khaled pulled out some fantastic saves, including a second-half Eric Ayiah penalty, Niger barely troubled Danlad in the Ghanaian goal. 

Ghana will now face another of their African rivals as they take on Mali in the quarter-finals in Guwahati on Saturday.

90` GOAL! Richard Danso doubles Ghana’s lead! Ghana 2-0 Niger

What a strike that is from Richard Danso. The Ghanaian has been on the pitch for only a couple of minutes but his goal has released the pressure on Ghana. He gets the ball outside the box and after a couple of touches he lets fly and even though Khaled manages to get a hand, the shot has too much power on it.

85` Penalty saved! Ghana 1-0 Niger

Khaled has been the best player of the match so far and this save highlights that fact. Farouk concedes another penalty as he brings Down Toku. Eric Ayiah, who has already scored from the penalty spot in the first half, steps up to take this one. Khaled goes the right way his teammates run up to their goalkeeper who is definitely pumped up with that save.

80` Ghana 1-0 Niger

Khaled has taken a battering today and for the third time, he needs extensive treatment to get him up and running. Khaled charges in to punch away a corner kick but Ghana’s Yakubu clatters into him and both require treatment from their medical staff.

75` Ghana 1-0 Niger

Khaled goes down once again. The Nigerien custodian has single-handedly kept his team in the game till now. Niger make their first substitution as Karim Tinni replaces Habibou Sofiane. Ghana also make a change as Mohammed Iddriss replaces Isaac Gyamfi.

65` Ghana 1-0 Niger

Mensah with a miss that will probably haunt for a long long time. Mensah gets on the end of a deflected shot and no one in front to save him, he promptly puts it over the bar. Somewhat like this Dutch player.

62` Ghana 1-0 Niger 

Owusu probably didn’t recover fully after twisting his ankle a couple of minutes ago and after he slumps back on the pitch, Ghana coach decides to get him off. In comes John Otu for Ghana.

56` Ghana 1-0 Niger

Another Ghanaian player goes down and this time its No 10 Toku. It’s a crunching tackle by Niger’s Salim and Toku’s shin is caught in the follow through. A stretcher is brought on for him and he’s taken off to the sideline. Thankfully for Ghana, Toku recovers from the knock and is back on the pitch.

52` Ghana 1-0 Niger

With Ghana’s dominance on the ball, the only way for Niger to score would be through counter-attacks and they get one. Owusu twists his ankle trying to keep the ball in play and Niger spring on the counter. Ibrahim plays in a good ball for an onrushing teammate but his through ball has too much on it and the ball rolls behind for a Ghana goal-kick.

47` Ghana 1-0 Niger

Ghana win their first free-kick of the second half on the left. However, like all of their set-pieces in the first half, Ghana waste it as Leveh opts to go for goal but it was never going to trouble Khaled in the Nigerien goal.

Ghana 1-0 Niger

The two teams troop out and get into their respective huddles. A couple of Niger players also stop to pray as the referee tells the players to get ready for the second half.

Ghana 1-0 Niger 

Halftime. Ghana 1-0 Niger

Eric Ayiah’s penalty is the last action we see from the first half as the referee blows for half-time. Even though Ghana lead at halftime, they should have been a couple of goals ahead if only their forwards would have been more clinical in front of goal. Niger have been on the backfoot from the start and barring a few forays into the Ghana box, they have not cleared any clear-cut chances in the half.

45+3 GOAL! Eric Ayiah scores from the penalty spot! Ghana 1-0 Niger

Ayiah breaks into the box and he’s fouled by Farouk. The referee has no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Ayiah picks himself up to take the penalty and sends Khaled the wrong way.

45` Ghana 0-0 Niger

Ghana win two back-to-back corners but they fail to make the most of it. Niger almost mount a counter-attack but the move breaks down. Ghana get a free-kick near the touchline on the left. Arko-Mensah has a good opportunity to find a teammate at the end of his free-kick but he goes for goal from a long way out. His shot was never going to trouble Khaled in goal. The quality of set-pieces taken by Ghana has been poor today.

38` Ghana 0-0 Niger

Ayiah with two good chances to put Ghana ahead. He cuts into the box from the left onto his favoured left foot but his shot is blocked. The ball is recycled back to him and he gets the ball from a similar place but he skies it over.

34` Ghana 0-0 Niger

Ghana clearly have the upper hand in the match so far. They have more possession and are being patient in their build-up play. The attacking trio of Ayiah, Toku and Arko-Mensah are getting into good positions but they are being frustrated by a mixture of wasteful finishing and good Nigerien defence.

27` Ghana 0-0 Niger

Khaled goes down after Owusu clatters into him during a Ghana corner. The Nigerien custodian stays on the ground clutching his ribs. While he receives treatment, the referee calls for the water break. Khaled is thankfully not hurt bad and he’s up after applying some ice on his chest.

25` Ghana 0-0 Niger

What a save by Khaled in the Niger goal! Leveh lays it off to Arko-Mensah who fires in a left-footed shot which is sent past the post by Khaled.

22` Ghana 0-0 Niger

Ghana win a free-kick on the left of the box and it is a good chance for Gyamfi to whip in a good delivery for the Ghanian players gathered at the far end. Gyamfi, however, goes for goal and his shot sails miles above goal. Poor judgement by Gyamfi there.

20` Ghana 0-0 Niger

Chance for Niger! Ibrahim Boubackar finds space on the left but his second touch was disappointing. Niger should be making the most of these rare chances in the game.

10` Ghana 0-0 Niger

Looks like Ghana’s Issac Gyamfi has picked up a knock while defending. He signals towards the dugout but should be fine. Niger will have their task cut out against Ghana’s defensive pair of Najeeb Yakubu and Edmund Arko-Mensah. The Black Starlets have conceded just one goal so far in the tournament.

Kick off! Ghana 0-0 Niger

And we’re off in Mumbai!

3⃣0⃣ MINUTES TO KICK-OFF!
The #FIFAU17WC quarter-final picture will be completed on Wednesday!
PREVIEW➡️https://t.co/8gf9ylv53m pic.twitter.com/mi1RJECsgh

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) October 18, 2017

Here is how both teams lineup today.

Hello and welcome to Firtspost’s live coverage of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017. Ghana and Niger play each other in an all African match. The winner will play Mali, who thrashed Iraq 5-1 in their RO16 match,  in the quarter-finals.

The final RO16 match will see tournament favourites Brazil play Honduras.