Ghana's Black Starlets began their 2025 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a frustrating 2-2 draw against Algeria on Wednesday.
The team are returning to the competition after a nine-year absence, but they threw away a commanding two-goal first-half lead to be pegged back by a determined Algerian side in the second period.
It was a result that will leave coach Prosper Narteh Ogum and his players reflecting on what might have been with World Cup qualification on the line.
Ghana were the better side from the onset, playing with an intensity and directness that Algeria struggled to cope with in the opening period.
The Black Starlets took an early lead through a Yao Gavi finish which deflected off Noam Benramdane into an empty net after a mistake by goalkeeper Yazid Tifrani.
Eric Gyamfi double the lead in the 10th minute with a contender for goal of the tournament chipping the keeper from about 40 yards.
At half-time, two goals to the good and having largely controlled the half, Ghana looked set to open their tournament campaign with a comfortable victory. Algeria had offered little going forward and Ghana's defensive structure had been largely untroubled. The task seemed straightforward.
The second half told an entirely different story. Algeria emerged from the dressing room with renewed energy and purpose, pressing higher and committing more bodies forward as the urgency of their situation demanded.
Algeria pulled one back through Adam Benali to make it 2-1, and suddenly the tie had a completely different complexion. The North Africans were buoyed, the Black Starlets rattled.
Momentum shifted and three minutes later Melwane Zaidi's header drew Algeria level. The North Africans continued to push for the lead and missed a golden opportunity after Illyas Grini's penalty flew over the crossbar.
Ghana faces Senegal, in their second group fixture on Saturday, May 17. A positive result against the West African rivals will be crucial in shaping whether the Black Starlets can advance to the knockout rounds of the tournament and keep Ghana's hopes of a second U-17 AFCON title alive.
Senegal will also need all three points after losing 2-1 to South Africa in their opening game.
