Ghana U-17 coachGetty

Fabin not satisfied with Ghana's conversion rate in Niger victory

Ghana coach Samuel Paa Kwesi Fabin says he will continue to work on his charges' conversion rate in front of goal despite their 2-0 victory over Niger to reach the quarterfinals of the 2017 Fifa U17 World Cup in India on Wednesday.

Eric Ayiah's opener on the stroke of half-time and another powerful strike from substitute Richard Danso were enough to guide the two-time champions to the next round of the competition.

"Definitely, the lack conversion of chances is a concern [but] we are working on it," Fabin said.

Article continues below

"With an U-17 team, you make such mistakes but I'm satisfied with the two goals we scored.

"The defence did well but towards the end of the match they lost concentration because they got scared as Niger were getting on the goal. We need to work on the final result," he added.

Ghana needed a penalty deep in additional time of the first period to break down resilient Niger, after Ayiah was tripped in the box and the gaffer admits that moment gave them a breather.

"The penalty came at a crucial time and it pushed our confidence for the second half. We created so many chances, and there was erratic shooting. In tournament of this nature, every goal counts. We created two and that's okay for us.

"When you come to play of this nature and you see your country men, it gives you morale. Their presence helped a lot," he said about supporters who were sponsored by the government to India.

Ghana will now meet Mali on Saturday in a repeat of last May’s Africa U17 Cup of Nations final, where they lost the title after a 1-0 defeat but Fabin says they're ready for another game.

"In Africa, we played each other and know each other well. It's going to be another cagey encounter but we're ready for another game and team," he said.

Advertisement