The Black Starlets of Ghana are on their way back home from the U-17 World Cup after losing 2-1 to Mali in the quarter finals.
Mali took a 2-0 lead in rain soaked condition at the Indira Gandhi stadium. Ghana pulled one back through a second half penalty, but where unable to peg Mali back and stay in the competition.
Heavy rain before and during the game completely destroyed the pitch, making it waterlogged and eliminating any chances of either side being able to utilize their penchant for free flowing football. And yet whilst Mali adapted very well to the waterlogged pitch, Ghana did not.
And it was our West African opponents who took the early lead when a back pass was trapped by the water on the pitch and fell kindly to the onrushing Malians to break and score.
The game waxed and waned after that until the second half, when Ghana goalkeeper Danlad made a fatal error to hand the Malians a 2-0 advantage.
A late penalty converted by Mohammed was not enough as the African champions march on to the last four whilst the Starlets make their way back home.