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Starlets’ popularity soars despite defeat
(From Veronica Commey, GNA Special Correspondent in Lome,
Togo; Courtesy Ministry of Education, Science and Sports)
Lome, March 23, GNA – The popularity of Ghana’s Black
Starlets among supporters is fast soaring despite the team’s
two consecutive defeats at the ongoing African U-17
Championship in Togo.
Ghana lost to host Togo 1-2 on Sunday and earlier lost to
Nigeria 0-2 to ensure they only go chasing bronze at the
competition in which they were tipped as the favourites but
still command a huge following.
Attendance at the team’s training sessions has grown larger
after the defeat to the debutants, Togo who will meet
Nigerian at the finals on Sunday.
The Starlets seem to have won many over to their side
largely due to their skill and style of play and perhaps out
of sympathy.
Some of the supporters the GNA Sports came in contact with
suggested that Ghana’s defeat to the Togolese came as a big
surprise to them as they expected the Starlets to have met
Nigeria at the finals.
The fans seem a lot more comfortable endearing themselves
with the Ghanaian Starlets whom they refer to as the
“Brazilians” of Africa soccer.
Ghana will represent the continent alongside Nigeria,
Tunisia and Togo at the world cup billed for the Republic of
Korea this summer.
For the fans, mostly Togolese, their current desire is to
see the team spank Tunisia in the third and forth place game
slated for the Kegue National Wembley on Sunday, March 25.
Ghana was hopeful of making it treble at the competition
when the competition commenced last week with the team
giving many false hopes with a fine performance in a group
opener against Burkina Faso which they dazzled to win 3-1.
The subsequent 6-0 win over Eritrea was a confirmation of
their status until they came crushing to Nigeria 0-2 at the
last group game.
Many expected the team to tower above that set-back and
decision Togo only for the Starlets to relinquish an early
lead to lose that crucial semi final game 1-2 to the host.
GNA
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