Two matches, two wins and 11 goals — Ghana’s under-15 side is making a loud statement at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival.
Ghana's national Under-15 boys' team brushed aside Myanmar 7-1 in their second Group W match at the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan, stretching their perfect start at the tournament.
The result, reported by the Ghanaian Times, follows a 4-1 opening win over Uzbekistan and leaves the young Ghanaians with two victories from two outings and 11 goals scored.
How the goals came
Jerry Owusu and Abdul Aziz Issah, both of whom had already found the net in the opening game, put Ghana in front. Nathaniel Owusu added a third before the interval to give the team a comfortable half-time cushion.
After the break, Shamsudeen Sulemana made it four. Angel Junior Adjei then scored twice, and an own goal from the Myanmar defence completed the scoring for Ghana. Myanmar managed a single consolation goal.
That scoreline puts Ghana firmly on top of Group W with the group stage still running.
What the tournament is
The FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival is a youth competition organised by FIFA, world football's governing body, for players under the age of 15. Unlike the senior World Cup, it combines competitive matches with a festival format built around development, which is why teams play several fixtures in quick succession.
For Ghana, tournaments at this level are a scouting ground. Players who shine here are the ones national team coaches track into the U-17 Black Starlets, the U-20 Black Satellites and eventually the senior Black Stars. Names like Jerry Owusu, Abdul Aziz Issah and Angel Junior Adjei are worth noting now.
What is next
According to the Ghanaian Times report, Ghana's third group match is against Guam, with fixtures against the Bahamas and Kazakhstan also listed to close out the group phase. The report indicates the team is scheduled to complete the group stage on Monday.
Given the compressed schedule, squad rotation is likely, and the goal difference Ghana has already built could prove decisive if group placings come down to fine margins.
Why Ghanaians abroad are watching
For the Ghanaian community in the United States and elsewhere, youth tournaments are often the first look at the next generation before those players move into club football at home or abroad. A side that scores 11 goals in two matches will draw attention from scouts well beyond Azerbaijan.
Ghana's youth teams have had a strong run of results in recent weeks. The Black Maidens, the country's U-17 women's side, have also progressed at their own World Cup and are set to meet Argentina in the Round of 16.
