The Black Satellites of Ghana were crowned victors in a thrilling contest that saw them pip Uganda to win the 2023 African Games Men’s Football Finals at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday.
A last-gasp brilliant strike from Sunyani-based Though FC, forward, Jerry Afriyie was enough to prove the match-winner between the two sides at a heavily packed stadium in Accra.
Coach Desmond Ofei in the lead-up to the finals effected two changes from his winning side that beat, Senegal in the semi-finals, taking off, David Amuzu and Musibau Aziz for Emmanuel Agyei and Mohaison Mahmoud in the starting lineup against Uganda in the finals.
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On the other hand, Morley Byekwaso from Uganda made a single change to his lineup that thumped Congo in the semi-finals.
The first half raced to a goalless draw after an end–to–end action at the heavily packed stadium.
After the recess, the host made efforts for the breakthrough but the confident and resilient Uganda side was up to the task in every aspect of the game.
Two substitutions were effected by the host in the 56th minute, captain Kuffour Asamoah and Aziz Issah were subbed off for Remember Boateng and Musibau Aziz which gave them the upper hand for large portions of the game.
Kevin Nkrumah trapped the ball on the edge of the penalty box, perfectly laid off to Jerry Afriyie, who had one thing on his mind, striking the ball beautifully beyond the reach of, Abdu Magada in post for the Uganda side for the breakthrough in the 90th minute sending the home fans to ruptures cheers and jeers.
Interestingly, Ghana picked gold in the Men and Women’s final. Uganda came second with a Silver Medals while Senegal bagged the Bronze medal after triumphing over Congo earlier in the day
