Black Maidens of Ghana captain Mukarama Abdulai was awarded the Player of the Match accolade after beating hosts Uruguay 5-0 in the opening game at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Tuesday evening.
The 16-year-old striker hit a hat-trick that helped Ghana to win convincingly at Estadio Charrua in Montevideo which resulted in her receiving the award.
Abdulai scored in the 25th, 78th and 90th minutes to mark the first hat-trick of the tournament in the Group A contest and also assisting.
The Black Maidens opened the scoring when an unmarked Fuseina Mumuni took a pass from Abdulai before converting with a simple turn and finish.
The West Africans quickly doubled their advantage, as Grace’s fine cross from the left found Abdulai to head home at the far post.
Abdulai was denied at close range before the home side had to clear another Abdulai effort off the Uruguay goal-line.
A third goal would arrive on 66 minutes, as Millot Pokuaa broke in and finished with aplomb before Abdulai completed her hat-trick with two late goals in a fine Ghanaian performance in Montevideo.
