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. 

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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. 

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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

The Black Princesses of Ghana pick up gold at the expense of reigning champions, Nigeria in the Women’s Final at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium. 

The host nations’ run to the final saw them bag wins against, Ethiopia, and Tanzania and a draw against Uganda in the group games.

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They carried on with a thumping victory over Senegal in the semi-finals. A goal from Tracy Twum and a double from Ophelia Amponsah with a consolation from Rokhyatou Kande saw the Princess coast to a 3-1 victory. 

Coach Basigi named Afi Amenyeku in the post, Tracy Twum, Maafia Nyame, Ophelia Amponsah, Mukarama Abdulai, Asana Alhassan, Comfort Yeboah, and others for the crunch tie against Nigeria. 

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The visitors took the lead through, Loveth Edeh Njideka in the 24th minute of the game after goalkeeper, Afi Amenyeku poorly handled a harmless lobbed ball.

Tracy Twum equalized for the host with eight minutes to end proceedings to set up a frantic finale.

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Enterprising, Mukarama Abdulai scored what turned out to be the winning goal of the game.  

The host country, Ghana will party late into the night knowing how crucial this win shapes women’s football game in the country.

In other games, Uganda beat Senegal in the third place play off game to pick the bronze  medal.

The Black Satellites failed to pick all three maximum points at the expense of their Congolese counterparts in the first group game of the men’s football competition at the 2023 All-African Games.

The team failed to create any notable chance in the first half which saw the technical bench edgy and agitated for most of the game.

READ MORE: 2023 African Games: Black Satellites are ready – Coach Offei

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The second half saw improved dominance from the side, with the likes of, Abdul Aziz Issah and Jerry Afriyie, Aziz Misibau, the main architects in threatening the opposition’s vital area for the breakthrough. 

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The team’s frustration was compounded as they had a clear goal disallowed by the game’s referee. Using a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) would have made decision-making for the center referee and his charges very simple to rule in favor of the hots. 

Black Satellites head coach Desmond Ofei, has revealed that they are ready for their first game of the group games ahead of the 2023 African Games.

Ofei will hope to make a mark with this youth team after he took over the reins of the job from Samuel Boadu in September 2023.

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Speaking to reporters in the pre-match interview, he spoke about the team’s readiness for their first game tomorrow against Congo. 

“For us, it’s about us we have prepared well, and the boys are really hungry and willing to give their best to bring glory to the nation”. he ended. 

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The Black Satellites’ first game will be against Congo at the Accra Sports Stadium with both teams eager to get the three points to solidify their position in the group.