31 Years Ago: How Black Starlets conquered Brazil to win U-17 World Cup

Thirty-one years ago, today, Ghana’s Black Starlets etched another golden chapter into the country’s football history with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Brazil to win the 1995 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Ecuador.

On August 20, 1995, the young Ghanaians faced Brazil in the final at the Estadio Monumental in Guayaquil, in front of about 30,000 spectators.

Coached by the legendary Samuel Arday, Ghana had already won all five matches on their way to the final and were determined to reclaim the trophy they had lost to Nigeria two years earlier.

The Black Starlets made a dream start to the final when Baba Sule opened the scoring in the 39th minute after Joseph Ansah’s long-range effort was parried by Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

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Just before half-time, Abu Iddrisu produced a moment of brilliance, firing a spectacular effort into the top corner to give Ghana a 2-0 lead.

Brazil responded immediately after the break through Juan, but Ghana restored their two-goal advantage only two minutes later. Dini Kamara’s cutback found Emmanuel Bentil, who calmly finished to make it 3-1.

Brazil pulled another goal back through Marco Antonio in the 90th minute, setting up a tense finish.

But Ghana held firm to secure their second world title, following their triumph in 1991.

The squad included future stars such as Stephen Appiah and Awudu Issaka, while Ghana’s victory also marked the country’s third consecutive appearance in the U-17 final.

FKA/MA

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