Christiana Ashieku was the standout performer as Ghana’s U-17 girls made a resounding debut in the inaugural WAFU Zone-B U-17 Women’s Cup, securing a 4-1 victory over Bénin in the opening match of the tournament on Thursday.
The Black Maidens dominated proceedings right from the start at the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence. Just five minutes into the game, Priscilla Mensah gave Ghana the lead with a well-taken goal, setting the tone for the match.
However, it was Ashieku who truly stole the spotlight with a sensational hat-trick. She scored three times in the first half, finding the back of the net in the 17th, 44th, and 45th minutes, which helped Ghana to a commanding 4-0 lead at the break.
Bénin came out stronger after the halftime interval and managed to capitalize on a defensive mistake by Ghana in the 55th minute to pull one back, making it 4-1. Despite this effort, Bénin was unable to mount a serious challenge, and Ghana held on to their lead to clinch the victory.
Ashieku’s remarkable performance earned her the "Lady of the Match" award, with her hat-trick not only sealing the win but also marking the first treble of the tournament.
Thanks to the tournament’s structure, following Burkina Faso’s withdrawal, both Ghana and Bénin have automatically qualified for the semifinals. They will now await the outcome of Group B to determine their next steps.
