2017 FIFA U17 World Cup: Ghana beat Niger 2-0 to reach quarter-final

Ghana dispatched Niger 2-0 on Wednesday, October 18, to reach the quarter-final of the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup.

The pair of goals were scored by captain Eric Ayiah and substitute Richard Danso to reach the last eight against African champions Mali.

Ghana dominated the first half, creating 13 attempts to Niger’s lone effort.

The West Africans created the first chance on 25 minutes, as Edmund Arko-Mensah’s powerful strike produced a top save from Niger goalkeeper Khaled Lawali.

The Ghanaians had to wait until first-half stoppage time to finally break through, as they were awarded a penalty after Eric Ayiah was cut down in the Niger box by Farouk Idrissa.

The Ghana captain stepped up to convert the spot-kick for his third goal of the tournament.

The Black Starlets kept pressing forward after the break, with Gideon Mensah missing a great opportunity to double Ghana’s lead from close range.

Ayiah could have had a second penalty goal after Idrissa fouled Emmanuel Toku in the Niger box, but Lawali was equal to his spot-kick effort.

The second goal would arrive in the final moments, as substitute Richard Danso’s strike proved too strong for Lawali to keep out of his net, as Ghana capped a convincing performance at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium.