Ghana’s U-15 Girls National Team made great strides at their maiden appearance at the 2025 CAF African Schools Football Championship, which concluded on Saturday, April 26.
Led by head coach Joyce Boatey-Agyei with assistance from Sandra Boakye, the Black Damsels completed their host and win mission, beating Uganda in the finals to claim gold medal and a $300,000 cash prize.
The competition, limited to individuals aged 15 and below, was a true reflection of how crucial talent development at an early stage is.
Hard work, determination, a sense of pride and the ambition of making a nation proud were at stake for Ghana, who were handed hosting rights.
The tournament was an opportunity to witness firsthand the next generation of African players at the University of Ghana Stadium, and fans would attest that there was a lot on display throughout the tournament.
Joy Sports highlights five players from Ghana’s team who could go on to become world beaters in a few years
Jennifer Awuku
There is only one place to start from – the Best Player of the Competition. Jennifer Awuku, despite her shy nature, made the headlines.
Scoring three goals in five games at the competition, her goals were only an addition to her overall performance in the tournament. The journey to that started when she had the key to the locked Moroccan defence in Ghana’s first game, as she scored the winner in Ghana’s first-ever appearance.
Jennifer dazzled on the wings for Ghana and was always a threat anytime she had the ball under her feet, and was never afraid to take on her markers.
Hajara Adam
As a captain would do, Hajara Adam led from the back and carried the weight of a country on her shoulders. The Tamale Senior High School student slotted in at right-back and always felt at home.
The highlight of her involvement in the tournament would be lighting the trophy, but Hajara also had her name on the lips of many for what was arguably the best goal of the tournament when she scored from a long-range free-kick against South Africa.
Anytime she burst forward down the right flank, she was a nuisance for defenders. She contributed immensely to the team’s four clean sheets in the competition and was also a source of goals.
Hajara would definitely be on an uphill after her display in the African Schools Football Championship.
Mavis Koah
Just like Hajara, it would be criminal to leave Mavis Koah out of this list.
Calm, composed, technical and rapid, we could go on and on speaking about the attributes of the Yilo Krobo Senior High School prospect. Mavis was key in Ghana, keeping four clean sheets in five games at the championship. To add to her importance, the team looked shaky after she left the pitch with a knock in the 3-2 win over South Africa.
The centre-back was not afraid of putting in a challenge in any part of the field, and that was what made her an impressive figure in the team.
The Rootz Sistaz defender was a leader at the back and was not shy to call out her teammates when the need be.
Belinda Kpentey
One too many times, players in the No.10 jerseys are the stars of the team. Belinda Kpentey is one of those projects. She was the source of creativity for the Damsels, and she delivered to perfection.
While she has thrived in the past as the attacking midfielder, Belinda starred at the just-ended tournament playing in different roles, but most frequently as a winger. She showed her class by scoring twice.
Her ability to adapt and dictate the flow of the game higher up the pitch was evident, and her decisions to receive balls under pressure and make something happen led to countless goalscoring opportunities.
Belinda is meant to be a star, and it wouldn’t be long until her name is in the news again.
Mary Kumah
Not often do defensive midfielders get mentioned for their role in a team, but the story is quite different as far as Mary Kumah is concerned. The Somanya Rootz Sistaz youngster was one of the fans’ favourites throughout the tournament, and she never let them down. Despite her role as a defensive midfielder, many nicknamed her Mohammed Kudus because of her jersey number.
Her composure on the ball, her ability to start buildups and timely interventions to break down opposition attacks saw her receive plaudits in all of her games. Kumah started all of Ghana’s games, and while she may not have scored, she proved pivotal in the team being successful at the tournament.
Honourable mention: Christiana Ashiaku, Esther Kissiwaa and Daniella Abass
Source: Lawrence Degraft Baidoo
