Ghana male U20 side, The Black Satellites defeated their counterparts from Gambia by 3-1 to increase their chances of progressing into the semifinals of the football event at the 2023 African Games which is currently ongoing in Accra, Ghana.
Ghana took an early lead through Musibau Aziz in the 13th minute to boost the morale of the team. Musibau capitalized on a goalkeeping error to tap into an empty net to put Ghana ahead.
After scoring the opening goal, the Satellites dominated play and created some decent chances but they couldn’t turn those opportunities into goals. The goal scorer came close once again but only managed to fire a shot just a whisker over the crossbar.
The first half ended with Ghana leading by 1-0. The Satellites came into the second half strongly and added to their advantage in the 49th minute through Dreams FC forward, Abdul Aziz Issah.
Ghana was awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute after Emmanuel Mensah was brought down in the penalty box by one of the Gambian defenders.
However, Musibau Aziz failed to convert the spot kick to increase the Satellites’ tally. He drove his penalty with power but lacked accuracy as the Gambia keeper parried it away.
The Gambia asserted themselves into the game and pulled one goal back through substitute Cisse in the 83rd minute. They continued to push for the equalizer but it proved hard to come by.
The game was put to bed in the 90th minute when substitute Jerry Afriyie scored the third goal for Ghana. He pounced on a loose ball when one of the Gambia defenders tried to pass to his keeper but under-hit his pass.
Following the goalless game with Congo in the first game, the Satellites needed to win and they responded well by beating Gambia 3-1.
The coach of the Satellites, Desmond Offei appreciated the talent within his squad.
“We know the quality of the boys, we told them to calm down and play the ball and they did today, and if they are relaxed, they want to show their qualities and that’s what they did today’’. He said.
“We’ll look at the positive and we’ll keep building. This team is full of talents, we keep growing day by day in training and we see it so I’m really proud of it’’. He added.
Ghana will take on Benin in the final group game in Group A, on 15th March at the Accra Sports Stadium while Congo takes on Gambia. Ghana will need at least a point to be guaranteed of a place in the semis.