Holders Ghana through to girls’ final as Senegal make statement in boys’ title hunt in CAF African Schools Football Championship

The CAF African Schools Football Championship Girls’ defending champions Ghana have made it for back-to-back finals, after edging out Ghana by a solitary goal in a closely contested tie against Zambia in Harare, Zimbabwe on Thursday.

The Ghanaians will take on Burkina Faso in a West African derby finale, the latter having won by a similar margin against Morocco in the first semi-final.

Friday’s final is expected to be fiercely contested with both Ghana and the Burkinabe having shown steel. In their semi-final, Blessing Tettey’s goal was the difference for Ghana, in a game that they hugely dominated.

Tettey struck a dipping shot from the right, catching the keeper flat footed. Ghana had the lion’s share of all statistics, with nine efforts at goal and six of them on target underlining their dominance in the match.

They will take on Burkina Faso, who were lifted into the final courtesy of an Aminatta Diarra long range low shot. Burkina Faso turned defense to attack quick, catching the Moroccan backline unaware to score the all-important goal.

Meanwhile, in the boys’ final, Senegal will take on East African representatives Uganda.

The Senegalese made a statement win, beating Morocco 4-0 while Uganda needed penalties to see off Benin in the other semi.

Senegal did their work quick and early, as they scored three goals within the opening six and a half minutes.

Captain Bara Gueye struck a quick brace to put Senegal in the drivers’ seat. He opened the scoring just 18 seconds in with a header from close range, before catching the keeper off his line for a spectacular second.

Cheikh Sy struck the third after two Moroccan defenders clashed as they attempted to head out a long ball. With a 3-0 lead at the break, Senegal were comfortably in the lead. They put the icing on the cake late on in the match, Thierno Sarr’s long range effort on the half volley swinging straight in.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Imran Ssebbale was Uganda’s hero as he saved two penalties in their 4-3 post-match spot kicks win over Benin.