Welcome to the LIVE coverage of the 2017 FIFA World Cup knockout clash between the Black Starlets of Ghana and the U17 side of Niger on GHANAsoccernet.com.
Two African sides robbing it off at the round of 16 to determine who makes it to the quarter final stage of the competition to join Mali.
Line ups: Ghana vs Niger
Niger have proved a difficult side for Ghana at this level having met thrice before this meeting in the World Cup.
Ghana won twice in friendlies with the Nigeriens but had to rely on the lottery of penalty kicks to win at the semi final stage at the 2017 U17 AFCON in Gabon after a pulsating goalless stalemate.
Let's take a look at the games of both sides before this stage:
Ghana
Niger
01'- KICKOFF
02'- Ghana win a corner kick after a daring attack.
02'- Niger under pressure as fhe Starlets look set for the opener.
03'- Another corner kick for Ghana. Two so far
03'- Corner kick taken. Sulley with a header but off the line it goes. Goal kick for Niger.
05'- Temporary hold up as Isaac Gyamfi goes down from a knock from Soumana.
06'- Corner kick for Niger. Brilliant piece of exchanges.
07'- Swift attack from Niger but ambitious strike from Namata Ibrahim goes over the line for a goal kick for Ghana.
13'- Niger dominating play as of now introducing great strength and physicallity.
14'- Throw-in for Niger. Taken swiftly but trust Ibrahim Danlad to have no issues with grabbing the ball.
16'- Swift attack from Niger, teasing cross from Sofiane but Danlad parries the ball away in crafty style. Danlad goes down. Foul for Ghana
17'- Game resumes. Danlad on his feet.
18'- Wonderful pass from Rashid Alhassan, Ayiah pounces on but referee calls for an infringement.
19'- Throw-in for Ghana
20'- Free kick for Ghana as Nasser brings down Sulley Ibrahim. Gyamfi takes a powerful drive but goes over the bar. Goal kick for Niger.
21'- Attacking throw-in for Ghana. Toku controls beautifully, beats his marker and sends in a long drive but over the bar it goes.
25'- Throw-in for Ghana. Najeeb Yakubu sends a deep one in but it's been headed away. Ghana still with that advantage.
26'- Corner kick for Ghana. Shortish one taken but booted away. Another corner for Ghana.
27'-Referee goes for a foul for Niger as shot stopper Khalid Lawali goes down from an aerial challenge with Ayiah.
31'- Ghana dominating now. A game of quarters. Swinging from side to side.
32'- Niger coiling deep to defend at this moment.
32'- Foul for Ghana as Gyamfi is pushed down by Sofiane.
33'- Ghana with a brilliant chance. Toku fails to dribble his marker. Niger gain possession.
34'- Toku again with a similar attack, sends the ball back to Ayiah but he takes a disappointing one to give Niger breathing space.
39'- Great save from Khalid Lawali as Najeeb Yakubu nearly fetched the opener for Ghana. Corner for the Starlets
41'- Throw-in for Ghana. Najeeb picks the ball for Toku but the final cross finds no one in the Niger 18 box.
42'- Corner kick for Ghana. Taken but headed away for another corner. Niger defends well and ball goes over the line for a goal kick
44'- Throw-in for Ghana. Najeeb finds Toku who is brought down for a free kick for Ghana.
45'- 4 minutes of time added on.
45+1'- Arkoh Mensah takes a deep drive but misses the post by inches.
45+1'- Ghana in possession. Najeeb sends a long one to no on in particular. Goal kick for Niger
45+3'- Penalty for Ghana as Eric Ayiah goes down from a knock from Inousa Amadou.
45+4'- GOAL!!! Eric Ayiah converts from the spot to give Ghana the lead.
HT: GHANA 1-0 NIGER
46'- Welcome back
46'- Free kick for Ghana. Deep kick from Sulley but off the post it goes. Niger regroup
47'- Foul for Niger as Yacince Wa Massamba is kicked in the air by Gideon Mensah.
47'- YELLOW CARD: Gideon Mensah booked for bringing down Wa Massamba
49'- Throw-in for Ghana. Arkoh Mensah proving a thorn in the flesh of the Nigeriens
50'- Corner kick for Ghana taken but to no one in particular. Bismark Owusu Terry goes down.
51'- Niger on a swift attack but Ghana win back possession.
52'- Free kick for Ghana as Sulley Ibrahim goes down from Soumana' tackle
55'- Throw-in for Ghana.
56'- Ghana attacking, brilliant exchange between Toku and Sulley, Toku brought down but referee waves play on. Coach Fabin very unhappy.
58'- Toku stretched off. It doesn't look well for the Ghanaian. He could be substituted.
59'- Game resumes.
60'- Good news for Ghana as Toku returns.
60'- Corner for Ghana. The second in the second half. Niger in trouble.
61'- Sulley wins the physical battle with his marker but referee calls for a foul. Good for Niger.
62'- Forced substitution for Ghana as Bismark Owusu Terry is unable to continue after over stretching a few minutes ago.
63'- GHANA SUB: John Otu comes on for Bismark Owusu Terry
64'- Great curler from Toku but Lawali parries the ball away. Corner for Ghana
65'- Cynical tackle from Aboubacar Kader on Sulley. Free kick for Ghana.
67'- Throw-in for Ghana. Nigeria under huge pressure and Ghana could increase the tally anytime from now.
68'- Another throw-in for Ghana as Leveh takes on his marker
69'- Corner kick for Ghana. Taken quickly but effort wasted.
70'- Ghana still in possession. Sulley takes on three defenders. Wins a corner kick for Ghana in the process.
73'- WATER BREAK
74'- Game resumes. Niger pushing for the equaliser but Sofiane's shot goes over the bar.
75'- Temporary hold up as Niger goelie Khalid Lawali goes down.
76'- NIGER SUB: Karim Tini comes on for Habibou Sofiane
78'- GHANA SUB: Iddriss Mohammed comes on for Isaac Gyamfi
79'- Corner kick for Niger.
80'- Swift counter attack for Ghana but Iddrissa Farouk hooks the ball to corner.
81'- Corner kick for Ghana. Taken but an aerial collision between Najeeb Yakubu and Khalid Lawali stops the game.
81'- Temporary hold up.
83'- Game resumes. Niger with a swift attack but it breaks down.
84'- Ghana attacking, Toku takes on his marker but is brought down. Penalty for Ghana.
85'- SAVED!!! Brilliant save from goalkeeper Khalid Lawali. Ayiah went for the same direction as he took the first but this time, Lawali was spot on.
87'- GHANA SUB: Richard Danso comes on for Emmanuel Toku
89'- GOAL!!! Richard Danso makes it two for Ghana. Brilliant strike from the WAFA striker.
90'- Six minutes added on.
90+1'- NIGER SUB: Hamid Ajina comes on for Laba Yacine
90+2'- YELLOW CARD: Abdoul Rashid Soumana booked for a cynical tackle on Sulley.
90+4'- Corner kick for Ghana. Taken but wasted.
90+6'- GAME OVER
FT: GHANA 2-0 NIGER
By: Sheikh Tophic Sienu @desheikh1 on twitter