The German, who has been at the helm of affairs since October last year, said the Black Starlets could not qualify for the tournament because they lacked real strikers at the WAFU Zone B tournament.

The WAFU tournament serves as a qualification ticket to the AFCON, with the two finalists securing tickets to the Morocco tournament scheduled for July.

But, the Black Starlets were knocked out at the group stage after losing their final group game on Tuesday against Ivory Coast.

The Ivorians were too strong for the Black Starlets and recorded a 3-1 victory at the Stade de Kegue in Lome. The result meant Black Starlets finished third in the group, behind Ivory Coast and Nigeria. They drew 1-1 with the two countries in their earlier games.

Assessing the Black Starlets’ performance, a disappointed Lippert said they had a blunt attack, resulting in their inability to score many goals.

“I’m not happy with the U17 performance; we have goal scoring problems. We don’t have the kind of strikers who are real strikers but in all the referee decided this match today. Sorry to say this,” Lippert said as reported by Atinkaonline.com.

“This was really obvious and there is a lot of things to do. This team didn’t present itself as a team but we still have four or five prospects in the team,” he added.

“We have to discuss the performance of the team at the Executive Committee level,” he added.

It is the second straight time Black Starlets have failed to qualify for the AFCON after missing out on the 2019 edition in Niger.

The four semi-finalists at the AFCON ought to be representing the continent at the U17 World Cup later this year but the latter tournament has been cancelled due to safety concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

Ghana needed just a point to advance to the semi-finals of the competition but the performance was met by profligacy in front of goal and some controversial referee decisions.

Togolese referee Vincentia Enyonam Amedome waved play on, on two occasions much to the dismay of the technical bench following glaring obstructions on captain Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Samuel Boakye in the Ivorian penalty area.

The Ivorians opened the scoring in the 10^th minute through Moses Junior Razak Fofana. He latched on to a loose ball in the Ghanaian defence to score the opener.

In the second half, Charles Likpa scored the second goal for the Ivorians but Ghana replied two minutes later through John Batigi.

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Batigi connected from captain Fatawu’s cross with an easy tap in. The goal brought Ghana back into the game but that was dealt a blow four minutes later after Cederick Emmanuel Don scored the third goal from the spot for Cote D’Ivoire.

The win sends Cote D’Ivoire through to the semi-finals of the tournament with six points. Nigeria also qualified with one point. Ghana bowed out of the tournament after picking one point from two matches.

The Starlets put in a decent display against the flying eagles but failed to bury the chances that came their way to draw the game 1-1 on Saturday.

Ghana captain, Abdul Fatawu, who had an outstanding game, scored from the spot after Samuel Boakye was fouled in the box by Nigeria goalkeeper Destiny Emuwahen.

The flying Eagles took the lead through substitute Joseph Arumala in the 83^rd minute after converting a penalty following a foul on striker Abdullahi Ahmed.

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Ghana pressed their opponents for the larger part of the game but failed to take their chances. Captain Fatawu came close to netting the opener in the 28^th minute but his effort went wide.

Nigeria sat back and relied on long balls forcing the Ghanaian side to play cautiously from the back.

Back from recess, Ghana played a delightful football and continued to probe for the first goal but that yielded no result, this time, Felix Agyemang Osei and Benjamin  Nyarko also missed from close range.

The Black Starlets need to avoid defeat against Cote D’Ivoire to make it to the next round of the competition. The Ivorians lead Group B with three points after their 1-0 win against Nigeria in their opening game.

Mr Simeon-Okraku was elected President of the GFA a year ago and has changed the narrative by being transparent and accountable to the football fraternity.

This, coupled with the #bringBackTheLove agenda, has won over the heart of many football-loving Ghanaians.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Ghana, trained as a journalist at the Ghana Institute of Journalism and is also an MBA holder from the University of Liverpool. While in the United Kingdom, he also received various certificates in marketing, hospitality and tourism management.

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He is an astute football administrator and has his name synonymous with football administration serving on various executive committees of the GFA as well as the national team, Ghana Black Stars.

He again served as the administrative manager of Ghana League Clubs Association from 2008 to 2010.

Before ascending the eminent GFA Presidential throne, he was the Chairman of the MTN FA Cup Committee, a position he held flawlessly to the admiration of all and sundry.

He is, therefore, in no doubt well-equipped to hold the fort on the West African Zonal front.

Road to the final 
The two sides reached the final in a contrasting manner, but they have both showed quality in tactics and pattern of play.
The Ivorians beat Ghana 1-0, Niger 6-0, and drew 1-1 with Burkina Faso, before beating Mali 2-0 in the semi-finals.
The Queens, on the other hand, recovered from their initial slip to secure two emphatic wins against Niger (9-0) and Burkina Faso (4-1), before that significant 5-4 win on penalties against Nigeria after 1-1 in regulation time.
Read Threat to burn churches disrespectful – Stonebwoy to Shatta Wale

But that was not enough to steal the show from the Ghanaians who dominated the individual honours as well.
Skipper Portia Boakye, who took the armband in Elizabeth Addo’s absence, finished as top scorer with four goals and three assists.
Grand final hero Jane Egyir picked the player of the tournament while Ivory Coast’s custodian was named best keeper.
Golden Boot: Portia Boakye
Golden Ball: Jane Egyir
Golden Glove: Cynthia Djohore

His Excellency announced the reward package when the team, led by Ghana Football Association President Kwesi Nyantakyi, paid a special visit to the Flagstaff House in Accra on Tuesday afternoon.

Ghana thumped rivals Nigeria in the final 4-1 to lift the trophy last Sunday at the Cape Coast stadium.

A brace from Stephen Sarfo, a penalty from Vincent Atingah and an injury time strike from Winnful Cobbinah saw the Black Stars B defend their 2013 title.

The 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations had all 16-member countries of the sub-regional football governing body participate.

The team coached by Maxwell Konadu has been playing in the tournament without bonus of any sort. The sports ministry told the players they will be settled from winning the competition.

And indeed, they delivered the cup by taking arch rivals Nigeria to the cleaners in the grand final.

Goals from Hearts of Oak duo Vincent Atinga and Winful Cobbinah as well as a brace from the tournament top scorer Stephen Sarfo were enough to win the day for Ghana while Rabiu Ali got the face saving goal for the sorry Eagles.

By virtue of winning the Cup, Ghana successfully defended the trophy they won four years ago as well a total prize money of $100,000.

According to him, his deficiency in the Queen’s language has not stopped him from achieving massive feat in his career.

Stephen Sarfo has been trending on social media for expressing himself poorly in English after he was adjudged Man of the match and also won the Golden Boot award in the WAFU Cup of Nations.

The 23-year-old talented forward scored two goals in the finals of the tournament against bitterest rivals Nigeria to retain the WAFU Cup.

All these exploits by the Berekum Chelsea in-form striker seem not to have impressed Ghanaians who then decided to troll him for his bad English.

But in an exclusive interview on Adom News Monday, Stephen Sarfo said he is not bothered by the wave of attacks on his English proficiency.

The dreadlocks goal poacher said though he was not intelligent while in basic school, his talent has made him very popular.

Stephen Sarfo added that annexing the top scorer award in the tournament is not his ultimate aim.

“I’m hoping to be called to the Black Stars that is my ultimate dream so people can mock for my English but I don’t care” he stressed.

Listen to full interview on Adom Midday News

WAFA midfielder Gideon Waja was the only outfield home-based player in the team that drew at home to Congo and won in Brazzaville in the reverse encounter.

But there would surely be calls for players like Hearts of Oak duo Winful Cobbinah and Atingah who was rock solid throughout the competition.

Isaac Twum who ended up as the best player of the competition plays for Inter Allies and should be in contention also for his debut call up too.

Several other plays did enough to at least earn a place on the place to Kampala as the stars go in search of victory and hope that Congo pulls off a miracle in Alexandria.

Kwesi Appiah is expected to name his squad for World Cup qualifiers later this week with some big names expected to be left out of the team.

Holders Ghana won the WAFU Cup of Nations for a second time after thumping bitterest rivals Nigeria 4-1 in a one-sided final.

Maxwell Konadu’s men were unable to beat the Super Eagles when both teams clashed in the group stage of the competition.

But they secured the silverware at Cape Coast stadium thanks to a brace from Berekum Chelsea striker Stephen Sarfo, and then two after the break from Hearts of Oak duo Winful Cobbina and Vincent Atingah.

It was a cagey start to the game from both teams with neither venturing too far forward early on.

The first real effort on goal came in the 15th minute courtesy a long-range strike from Ghana’s Emmanuel Lomotey, but his 25-yard effort sailed inches wide.

Emmanuel Lomotey was in the thick of the action again ten minutes later, pouncing on a loose ball inside the box but he was magnificently denied by the acrobatics of the Nigerian keeper from 14-yards out.

The Super Eagles shot-stopper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, was definitely at his best in the 35th minute with another superb save, diving low to his left to turn a low 18-yard shot from Isaac Twum around the post.

Nigeria suffered a setback in the 40th minute when central defender Olamilekan Adeleye Aniyikaye had to leave the field injured and was replaced by Emmanuel Ariwachukwu.

A minute before the break Ghana made their continued pressure tell when Stephen Sarfo fired the Black Stars in front with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box, 1-0.

The start of the second half failed to produce any fireworks until the 58th minute when substitute Patrick Razak was fouled inside the box, only a minute after coming on, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Vincent Atingah stepped up for the Ghanaians and doubled their lead with a well-placed spot-kick, 2-0.

In the 77th minute, Patrick Razak won a second penalty after a reckless tackle on him by Stephen Eze.

This time Stephen Sarfo stepped-up for Ghana to score his second goal of the game and put the result beyond doubt, 3-0.

The only down side for the Ghana was the expulsion of Vincent Atingah after receiving his second yellow card in the 90th minute.

The icing on the cake, though, for the Black Stars was their fourth goal which was scored by Winnful Cobbinah in the 93rd minute following a goalmouth scramble inside the box, 4-0.

Nigeria did find some consolation with a goal of their own courtesy, a 22-yard free-kick from Rabiu Ali which found the top corner of the net, but it was too little too late as the game ended 4-1.

Ghana (1) 4 (Stephen Sarfo 44’ + 78’ pen, Atingah 60’ pen, Cobbinah 93’)
Nigeria (0) 1 (Ali 95’)

Teams

Ghana coach: Maxwell Konadu

Ghana: 1. J Addo, 2. Frimpong, 12. S Sarfo, 5. Atingah, 6. Abbey, 10. Cobbinah, 18. Lomotey, 7. Twum, 8. Waja (17. Razak 57’), 15. K Sarfo (9. Addo 81’), 13. Kizito (14. Adams 68’).

Nigeria coach: Salisu Yusuf

Nigeria: 1. Ezenwa, 2. Okoro, 6. Eze, 12. Aniyikaye (5. Ariwachukwu 40’), 3. Akas, 4. Aremu, 8. Ifeanyi, 7. Friday (14. Okechukwu 46’), 11. P Moses, 10. Ali, 9. Okpotu (18. Eduwo 70’).

The Black Stars clobbered arch-rivals Nigeria 4-1 at the Cape Coast Stadium on Sunday, September 24 to defend the title they won four years ago on home soil.

Striker Stephen Sarfo scored just before the half-time whistle when he fired home from inside the box.

Second-half substitute Patrick Razak made a huge impact winning two penalties when he came on in the 57th minute.

The first one was converted by defender Vincent Atingah who was sent off late on after picking up a second yellow card.

Sarfo was on hand to convert the other and register his tournament’s fourth goal to win the Golden Boot award.

In injury time, Winful Cobbinah was teed up by his Hearts of Oak teammate Patrick Razak and he shot into a gaping net from 12-yards out.

Konadu was delighted his troops managed to cap an impressive display at the WAFU tournament with four goals in the final.

“We came into this competition under pressure because we lost to Burkina Faso at home and failed to qualify for the CHAN tournament,” said Konadu.

“That brought a bit of pressure onto the team but when we re-grouped, we made sure that we spoke among ourselves and made it a point that we are coming to this tournament to at least appease for the loss.

“We lost painfully to Burkina and everybody was down, but when this tournament started we came here with the aim that the only thing that can bring the joy back on the face of Ghanaians is to win the tournament.

“We started slowly but we gathered momentum and everything went well for us. We are delighted to lift the title.”

The Super Eagles started fast and created their first chance on goal in the sixth minute when John Friday intercepted a bad back pass and was left with just the keeper to beat, but he fluffed his shot wide.

A minute later Ghana suffered a big setback when Isaac Twum left the field injured and was replaced by Ahmed Adams.

Nigeria continued to boss the game and almost scored in the 13th minute when Anthony Okpotu broke behind Black Stars defence and even beat the keeper with his shot, but defender Vincent Atingah made it back to clear the ball off the goalline.

Three minutes later Peter Moses was on the attack for the Super Eagles when he drove into the box from the right flank, beating two defenders before seeing his 14-yard shot superbly saved by the keeper.

On the half hour Ghana finally created their first scoring opportunity when Emmanuel Lomotey met a corner with a strong header, but his effort skimmed the wrong side of the crossbar.

Ten minutes later Felix Addo muscled his way into space inside the Nigerian box but saw his ten-yard strike well-saved by the Ghanaian shot-stopper.

The half ended 0-0.

Eight minutes into the second half Nigeria took the lead when Anthony Okpotu showed great strength to hold his marker off to get on the end of a through ball and clinically fired home from six-yards out, 1-0.

Three minutes later the Super Eagles doubled their lead courtesy of a thunderous 20-yard strike from Peter Moses which found the corner of the net, 2-0.

Ghana tried to find their way back into the match but struggled to penetrate the Nigerian defence.

The Black Stars did almost score in the 72nd minute when Emmanuel Lomotey unleashed a powerful long-range free-kick, but his effort was brilliantly saved by the keeper.

That was as close as Ghana came to finding a goal as Nigeria won the game 2-0 and with it progressed into the semifinals of the competition along with the Black Stars.

With the other Group A game between Mali and Guinea ending 1-1 at the Nduom Sports Stadium, it leaves Ghana top of the standings with six points, followed by Nigeria with five points.

Guinea and Mali were left with two points apiece in third and fourth place respectively.

Ghana (0) 0
Nigeria (0) 2 (Okpotu 53’, P Moses 56’)

Teams

Ghana coach: Maxwell Konadu

Ghana: 1. J Addo, 2. Frimpong, 12. S Safro, 5. Atingah, 4. Ampiah (17. Razak 46’), 9. F Addo, 18. Lomotey, 7. Twum (14. Adams 7’), 10. Cobbina, 8. Waja (11. Kelvin 61’), 15. K Safro.

Nigeria coach: Salisu Yusuf

Nigeria: 1. Ezenwa, 2. Okoro, 6. Eze, 12. Aniyikaye, 3. Akas, 4. Aremu, 8. Ifeanyi, 7. Friday (15. Mathias 82’), 11. P Moses, 10. Ali, 9. Okpotu (14. Okechukwu 77’).

Nigeria needs the win to ensure progression to the semi-final while Ghana are already assured of the first place of the pool and a place in the last four regardless of the result, following their double victory against Guinea and Mali.

But it’s a great opportunity for the Black Stars B to get rid of a serious rival for the title and head coach Maxwell Konadu reveals his charges will hold no punches.

He said: “Now that we have qualified already we know we are meeting Nigeria. We know matches between these two countries are always very difficult.

“So we are going to approach that match with all seriousness. I think we will use all the arsenals we have to go past Nigeria. We know they are a very good side.”

For Konadu’s opposite number Salisu Yusuf, he is demanding absolute seriousness from his charges.

“It is a must-win game; we are certainly aware of that,” Yusuf said.

“Definitely, we will look at making a few changes because this is one match we must show character and efficiency at the rear, and the middle and the fore.

“Not only must we avoid defeat; we must win to make progress in the championship,” the tactician continued.

“That demands absolute seriousness and diligence and only the best legs will do.”

The two teams have met 50 times in all competitions with Ghana having the upper hand with 22 wins against Nigeria’s 10. 11 have ended in stalemates. The Black Stars last defeat against the Super Eagles was in 2006.

In the other group game, Mali and Guinea will square off at the Nduom sports stadium in Elmina.

Mali and Guinea will need maximum points to guarantee their continuation in the WAFU Cup of Nations and to earn a place in the semifinals.

Ghana top Group A with six points, followed by Nigeria with two points, Mali in third place with one point and Guinea are last with one point as well.

Played on Thursday, 14 September at the Cape Coast Stadium, the Ghanaian side dominated play and deservedly put two goals behind the net of their opponents.

The first half ended scoreless despite the Ghanaians dominating play.

Stephen Sarfo got the first goal for the Black Stars two minutes into the second half when a pass from the right came off his thigh and beat the Guinean goalkeeper in the box.

Substitute Kizito nailed the coffin for the Ghanaians when he headed home the second in the 77th minute. Kizito finished off an earlier header from Razak who received a cross from the right wing with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Guinea came close to reducing the deficit in the 83rd minute when they struck the cross bar from a well taken free kick.

The Black Stars held on to pick the maximum three points after full time.

Earlier, Mali and Nigeria, the other two teams in the group, played a goalless draw.

Ghana’s next match will be against Mali on Saturday, 16 September, with the match between Nigeria and Guinea taking place on the same day.

The local component of the Black Stars, having failed to qualify for the 2018 African Nations Championship, have their sights set on winning the WAFU trophy to appease Ghanaians.

However, doubts have been raised about the team’s chances of emerging victorious after their unconvincing first round performance against less-fancied Gambia last Saturday. They needed a controversial late penalty to overcome the resilient scorpions.

Despite the win being very unpopular, coach Maxwell Konadu jumped to the defence of his players insisting Ghana are “always slow starters in tournaments”.

But ahead of their clash against Guinea, who showed more mental strength to come from behind to book their place in Group A with a 2-1 win over Guinea-Bissau, Konadu admits the Black Stars B have to produce their best display to claim maximum points.

He said “I think that they do well in their various clubs that’s why we selected them, but it’s like the system being deployed here is not what they use in their clubs,’’

“At the national level, most of the times games are being played at a high-intensity level, with power and speed, so I expect them to step up their game than the usual one they do at their clubs. That’s why when they depart and join their clubs we expect that they will play a lot better than before,”

“That’s not to say what they’re being taught at their clubs are not good, but we know they can do more,”

“I think so far everybody is doing well and we’re content.” He added.

Ghana and Guinea have met in 18 previous matches, according to FIFA statistics. The Black Stars have claimed nine wins – compared to just three for Syli Nationale – and outscored their opponents 25 goals to 15 in the process.

Ghana v Guinea, head-to-head Record: 

The local black stars were initially scheduled to play Nigeria in the Group A opener today, September 14 but changed as a result of the late arrival of Nigeria.

In the other Group A game, Nigeria will play Mali, with next round of matches scheduled for Saturday.

A similar situation forced organisers and television rights holders, Fox Sports, to reschedule the Super Eagles’ clash with Sierra Leone which was supposed to have been played on Saturday, September 9 to Monday, September 11, 2017 to allow for players to take part in the final round of league matches in Nigeria.

This means Senegal’s game with Liberia became the second game of the competition which brought an immense misunderstanding with suggestions that they would play Ghana on Thursday, September 14, 2017 in a Group A game.

However, organisers said because of the change in the knock-out phase of the matches, some changes have occurred, forcing some changes in the fixtures even though the original groups during the draw will be maintained.

Organisers of the ongoing WAFU tournament have therefore given reasons for changes in opening group stage fixtures which will see Nigeria clash with Mali in the Group A opener at the Cape Coast Stadium while Ghana battles Guinea in the second fixture of the day at the same venue.

The final round of Group A matches will be played on Monday, September 18, 2017 with Nigeria battling the home team Ghana, while Guinea will square up against Mali at the same time with the top two teams from each group advance to the semi-final stage of the competition.

Meanwhile, Head Coach of Nigeria, Salifsu Yusuf, has expressed his determination to get one over Ghana when the two sides clash tonight.

Speaking to reporters after their clash against Sierra Leone match last Monday, coach Yusuf intimated that his charges were poised to see off sworn rivals-Ghana- when the two sides meet next Monday.

“When you talk about a football match between Nigeria and Ghana, it is at a different level. Whether it is a Cup final or a friendly match, both teams give their very best. That is what we are going to do on Thursday, and I am sure the Ghanaians will come to the party with the same mind.”

“The victory over Sierra Leone was good for the team. Psychologically, we are now attuned to going all out in every game.”

“For this tournament, the government has not committed any winning bonus. What has been agreed with the Ghana Football Association president Kwasi Nyantakyi is that FOX Sports, as organisers of the tournament, have a package for the winners and participants of this competition”.

“If the Black Stars B should win this tournament, which has prize money of $100,000, then part of that money will be shared by the players as their winning bonus”.

“Nothing will be coming from the government coffers.Everything is being sponsored by FOX Sports, including pitch maintenance and many other things”.

In terms of preparedness of the host nation, he said everything is under control and Ghana will be able to replicate hosting the tournament just like it did AFCON 2008.

Mr.Asiamah added that the Essipong Sports Stadium, which was unable to host WAFU tournament, has now been turned into training pitch, which will be used by some teams partaking in the tournament.

Broadcast giants, FOX Sports have invested $2million for the organisation of this tournament, which began last Saturday and will end on September 24, 2017.

The winners of the tournament will take home $100, 000, second place will receive $50,000 and $25,000 for the third placed team.

This according to Omar Sise was induced by the center referee and not a true reflection of the game.

Sise, the Gambian team manager said the Black Stars ‘B’ did not deserve to win the game because his side was the better of the opening exchanges when he met the press.

“I am sorry for African football if we will continue to run our football like this. The referee gave away the game and everyone saw the penalty awarded was a bad one and even the time was out”, said a furious Sise.

The Gambian Football Association has since threatened to boycott subsequent WAFU tournaments if stringent measures are not taken against the Burkinabe referee.

“Considering the fact that this is the second consecutive time we were robbed in broad daylight in the WAFU competition, the GFF, therefore, shall formally protest to WAFU and CAF for necessary action to be taken. We may also consider our participation in the future WAFU competitions unless justice is seen to be done,” a statement on the Gambia Federation website read.

The Black stars await the end of the preliminary round to know the remaining three countries that will make up Group A.

Abigail

Guinea came from behind to record the win after Gilson Correira had given Bissau a surprising lead in the 15th minute.

Keita Sekou equalised from the spot on 32 minutes before Camara Abdoulaye’s strike seven minutes later secured Guinea’s place in the group stage.

They are the fourth team to qualify after Ghana, Senegal and Niger.