GhanaFA

Africa stumble in opener

17 years ago
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Africa’s All-Star Under -17 selection were pummeled by Europe's team selection in the first leg tie of the 6th UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup in Barcelona on Tuesday.

Europe struck four times in the first 38 minutes through an early by Aarón Ñiguez before Fischer doubled their lead. Africa’s Ramahlwe Mphahlele miscued a kick into his own net for the third goal.

German striker Manuel Fischer grabbed a brace when he scored the fourth goal after 38 minutes to end the first half at the Mini Estadi in Barcelona.

Cameroon's Dipanda Pierrick got Africa on the scoresheet with a well-worked goal in the final seconds of the first half.

Back from recess's, Bojan Krkic came off the bench to add a fifth a minute past the hour before Aleksandr Prudnikov rounded off an impressive evening's work for Iñaki Sáez's side in the final minute.

Europe now establish a comfortable lead ahead of Thursday's second leg.

In a post match interview, Africa’s All-Star coach, Frederick Osam Duodu (pictured) expressed disappointment with the team's selection.

"I'm obviously disappointed, it's never easy to be positive after you've been beaten so heavily.

"We had a number of selection problems and this is the first time I've seen some of these players, but fortunately we were able to correct our early problems and there was a big improvement from just before half-time onwards.

"In fact, the rest of the match went quite well for us.

"It's pleasing the way the players responded to the changes we made during the match and the way they improved as the game went on. We got better after a poor start, and were still getting better when the final whistle went.

"These boys were playing together for the first time and that's why they struggled initially, but in the next match you will see something better from them," Africa’s All-Stars team coach said.