AFCON U20
Match Highlights : Ghana 1-0 Central African Republic
Joseph Opoku’s last-gasp goal aided the Black Satellites to beat the Central African Republic at the Suez Canal Stadium.
The win sets the Ghanaian side up for the quarter-finals of the ongoing AFCON U20 tournament.
Head coach Desmond Ofei brought on five fresh limbs to the final group game against the Central African Republic.
READ MORE: AFCON U-20: Black Satellites arrive in Ismailia for C.A.R game
The first half ended with no goals separating the two sides.
Eleven minutes to end proceedings, Joseph Opoku danced his way through the opposition box for the breakthrough goal.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS :
READ MORE: AFCON U20: Ghana beat Central Africa Republic
The West African side basked in 71% possession, 24 shots in total with 4 on target, created 2 big chances, and earned 8 corners in 90 minutes.
The Black Satellites finish as group toppers with 7 points, followed by Senegal with five, DR Congo with 4, and the Central African Republic with a point.
The draw for the quarter-finals will be held tonight.
The Amajitas of South Africa crowned a fine display of performance with a win over Morocco in the finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations at Cairo International Stadium.
Both teams raced to the finals on the back of impressive wins over Nigeria and Egypt, respectively, in the semi-finals.
READ MORE : Match Report : Kotoko roast Dreams FC at Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
The first failed to produce any goals between the two teams after the cagey encounter.
Gomolemo Kekana’s stunning right-footed 70th-minute strike bent beautifully into the top corner to give the Amajitas the lead.
The win marked South Africa’s first victory in the U-20 AFCON competition after losing their only final in 1997 to Morocco.
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Meanwhile, Nigeria beat Egypt in the 3rd place playoff.
Four countries, South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, and Egypt, have qualified for the World Cup U20.
Ghana’s U-20 head coach, Desmond Ofei, has extolled team quality ahead of the tie against host nation, Egypt in the quarter finals of the ongoing AFCON U20.
Speaking in his pre-game interview ahead of the game, he lauded the abilities of his opponents but acknowledged his side’s superiority and the need to get a win which will aid them secure qualification to the World Cup.
“This is going to be like a final for us. It’s a qualifier to the World Cup and that means everything. We are not just playing a nation; we are also playing against history.”
“Egypt is a decent and good side. Ghanaians know their strengths. They have some very technically gifted players. I respect the team, but I also believe we have quality. And we know our quality,” he said.
“Yes, Ghana has a history, but it’s not a burden. We understand what football means to Ghanaians. This is a fantastic opportunity for these boys and the entire team to elevate themselves,” he said.
The Black Satellites will square off with Egypt at 1500 GMT.
Ghana forward Jerry Afriyie has rejoined the Black Satellites camp in Egypt from Spain.
Afriyie temporarily left camp to team up with his Spanish side, CD Lugo, in a scheduled league fixture Gimnàstic.
He was on hand to score and assist rallying them from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against Gimnàstic in the Primera Federación.
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The 19-year-old attacker has played two games for the Black Satellites all from the substitute bench and will hope to make his first appearance in the crucial duel against host nation, Egypt.
READ MORE : AFCON U-20 : Ghana take on Egypt
Ghana will take on Egypt on Monday, May 12, at 18:00 local time (15:00 GMT) at the new Suez Stadium for a a slot in the semi-finals and an automatic slot to the FIFA U20 World Cup.
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