Starlets' popularity soars despite defeat

(From Veronica Commey, GNA Special Correspondent in Lome, Togo; Courtesy Ministry of Education, Science and Sports)

Lome, March 23, GNA - The popularity of Ghana's Black Starlets among supporters is fast soaring despite the team's two consecutive defeats at the ongoing African U-17 Championship in Togo. Ghana lost to host Togo 1-2 on Sunday and earlier lost to Nigeria 0-2 to ensure they only go chasing bronze at the competition in which they were tipped as the favourites but still command a huge following. Attendance at the team's training sessions has grown larger after the defeat to the debutants, Togo who will meet Nigerian at the finals on Sunday.

The Starlets seem to have won many over to their side largely due to their skill and style of play and perhaps out of sympathy. Some of the supporters the GNA Sports came in contact with suggested that Ghana's defeat to the Togolese came as a big surprise to them as they expected the Starlets to have met Nigeria at the finals. The fans seem a lot more comfortable endearing themselves with the Ghanaian Starlets whom they refer to as the 93Brazilians" of Africa soccer.

Ghana will represent the continent alongside Nigeria, Tunisia and Togo at the world cup billed for the Republic of Korea this summer. For the fans, mostly Togolese, their current desire is to see the team spank Tunisia in the third and forth place game slated for the Kegue National Wembley on Sunday, March 25.

Ghana was hopeful of making it treble at the competition when the competition commenced last week with the team giving many false hopes with a fine performance in a group opener against Burkina Faso which they dazzled to win 3-1.

The subsequent 6-0 win over Eritrea was a confirmation of their status until they came crushing to Nigeria 0-2 at the last group game. Many expected the team to tower above that set-back and decision Togo only for the Starlets to relinquish an early lead to lose that crucial semi final game 1-2 to the host.