Sports Minister hails Black Maidens' World Cup qualification

Sports Minister Hon. Nii Lante Vanderpuije has lauded Ghana’s female U17 team (Black Maidens) for their qualification for the 2016 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.

The Black Maidens secured a ticket to the competition which will be held in Jordan after mauling their counterparts from Morocco on a 10-0 aggregate score.

Coach Augustine Adotey’s side had recorded a 4-0 win over the North African side a fortnight ago before thumping them 6-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.

Nii Lante Vanderpuije, who was at the stadium to watch the Maidens, has applauded the team for yet another enviable feat.

“Congratulation for the win and congratulation for qualifying for another World Cup,” he spoke to the ladies after the game on Saturday.

“I know it hasn’t been easy. One will say Morocco is not a strong side, but I believe no team is small in Africa.

“It is a good win and am very happy to see you ladies play in another World Cup; I know this is just the beginning.

“The real task is ahead of you, thus at the World Cup so I will urge you to keep training hard ahead of the competition.

Ghana will be participating in her fourth appearance at the FIFA U17 World Cup.

The team missed out narrowly on a semi-final berth after losing out on penalties to Italy at the quarter-finals stage in the last edition held in Costa Rica.

Ghana is the only African country to have reached the semi-finals at this level after winning bronze in the 2013 edition of the competition held in Azerbaijan.