Ghana’s Black Maidens have been eliminated from the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Japan in their quarter-final encounter.
The West Africans put up a determined performance in an entertaining game but were unable to find the breakthrough against their Japanese opponents.
Nanami Kurita scored the decisive goal in the 54th minute, giving Japan the advantage they needed to secure victory and end Ghana’s campaign in the competition.
Coach Nana Adarkwah’s side fought hard in search of an equaliser but could not find a way past Japan, bringing their impressive run to an end at the quarter-final stage.
Ghana had collected four points in the group stage after losing to Norway, drawing with Brazil and beating Canada in their final group match to progress to the knockout rounds.
The Black Maidens subsequently defeated Argentina on penalties in the round of 16 to reach the last eight, but their journey came to an end against the Nadeshiko despite their efforts.
