Ghana’s U-20 team has booked qualification to the Africa Youth Championship in Mauritania next year after making it to the finals of the WAFU Zone B U-20 championship with a penalty shootout victory against Niger on Tuesday afternoon.
Frank Boateng converted the winning penalty as the Black Satellites recorded a 5-3 shootout success over the Nigeriens.
The Black Satellites had a good start to the game but were denied the lead after two successive brilliant saves by Niger goalkeeper Abubakar Issaka.
The Nigerian goalie saved a strike from Mugeez Zakaria he has been put through by Asiam in the early stages of the game.
The super save forced the goalkeeper to pick an injury and had to be replaced after attempts to continue the game proved futile.
Minutes after the Nigeriens substitution, the home team had a fine opportunity to take the lead but the attacker’s strike went wide off the post.
Dreams FC star Precious Boah, who was making a return to the team’s starting lineup after his suspension, pulled a save from second goalie Omar Lawali after a good control and a left-foot strike.
Boah nearly gave Ghana the lead in 56th minute but his intelligent free kick hit the crossbar to deny Ghana a lead after recess.
Both sides despite making some good scoring attempts could not hit the back of the net, pushing the game to extra time.
The Black Satellites had a goal ruled out as offside in the second half of extra time before coach Karim Zito brought on goalkeeper Emmanuel Essue for Dan Lad Ibrahim as penalties approached.
Ghana line up:
Danlad Ibrahim (21), Uzair Alhassan(2), Aloma Benjamin (3), Kobina Amoah (4), Nathaniel Adjei (5), Emmanuel Essiam (6), Mathew Anim Cudjoe (7), Huda Issah (8), Sulemana Mohammed (11), Percious Boah (9), Abdul Mugeez Zakaria (18)
Subs:
William Essu (1), McCarthy Ofori (15), Ivan Anokye (14), Evans Sarfo (17), Eugene Frimpong (22), Ayara Sadat (24), Daniel Afriyie Barnieh (10), Frank Boateng (25), Blessing Brefo (19)
