Eric Ayiah of Ghana, center, celebrates with teammates Bismark Owusu, left, and Najeeb Yakubu after scoring a goal against India. Getty ImagesNavi Mumbai: Two-time champions Ghana will start as favorites against gutsy continental neighbors Niger in what promises to be an exciting round of 16 clash in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, here on Wednesday.
Ghana have a pedigree in the age-group competition having won it in 1991 and 1995 and having reached four out of five finals in the 1990s in which they dominated the age-group competition.
However, since then they have not stamped their authority as they would have wanted in the event and would be aware of their opponents' ability to spring surprises.
In fact, it was Niger that had stopped five-time champions and neighbors Nigeria from entering the finals for the first time in the zonal stage qualifiers.
Niger, known as Junior Menas, are capable of upsetting the apple cart of Black Starlets.
However, Niger have not really impressed in their brief stay at Kochi and Goa.
In Group D they were outclassed by European champions Spain (4-0) and South American champions Brazil (2- 0) and have made it to the round of sixteen only by beating North Korea 1-0 and finishing third in the group with three points.
Niger should thank Salim Abdourahmane for scoring their match-winner in the second half against the North Koreans which earned them a last 16 berth by virtue of being one of the four best third place finishers in the group stage.
On the other hand Ghana, known for their pace and skills, topped Group A with 1-0 and 4-0 victories over Colombia and hosts India interspersed with a 0-1 loss to USA.
All their goals have been scored by different players so far. Ghana certainly have the wherewithal to down their fellow-African opponents and earn a quarterfinal berth.
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