Sports
U20 AFCON Egypt 2025: Ghana pip Senegal
At the ongoing U20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025, Ghana’s Black Satellites edged a fiercely contested match against Senegal with a narrow 1-0 victory, thanks to an early first-half goal from Emmanuel Mensah and a resolute display anchored by standout performances from Goalkeeper Gidios Aseako and midfield dynamo Lord Afrifa.
The game burst into life right from the start, with Ghana earning a corner and nearly scoring in the 1st minute, as Aziz Issah came close.
Ghana pushed forward with several early forays into the Senegal area, applying sustained pressure.
Senegal had their first opportunity in the 6th minute, but Satellites’ goalkeeper Gidios Aseako made a good save.
Moments later, Dennis Marfo received an early yellow card after a tactical foul following a defensive lapse, though Senegal failed to capitalize on the resulting free kick.
The contest evened out between the 10th and 20th minutes, but it was Ghana who struck first.
Emmanuel Mensah found the net in the 15th minute after a sharp pass from striker Jerry Afriyie. The Senegalese briefly protested the goal, but the referee let it stand.
Senegal responded with urgency, creating a number of chances. They missed from a one-on-one situation in the 18th minute, had a header saved from a corner in the 20th, and saw a long-range effort fly wide a minute later.
Ghana’s Jerry Afriyie then missed a gilt-edged chance in the 22nd minute after he was put through one-on-one with the Senegalese Goalkeeper.
Injuries and heavy challenges punctuated the half, including a brief stoppage for Misubau in the 24th minute. Aseako produced a sensational save in the 27th minute, denying Senegal from close range.
The half ended with another chance for the Satellites in the 43rd minute, after Lord Afrifa’s brilliant play nearly created a second goal. The Satellites led 1-0 at the break.
The second half began with a missed chance for Ghana in the 46th minute, followed by a Senegalese double substitution. Senegal came close again in the 51st minute, but Aseako remained firm.
The Satellites missed more chances in the 54th and 57th minutes, while Senegal failed to convert another in the 63rd. Ghana made key changes in the 63rd minute, introducing Maxwell Azafokpe and Sulemana.
Lord Afrifa, in the No. 9 jersey for the Satellites, continued to dominate the midfield, winning tackles and disrupting play with tireless effort.
Senegal made further changes in the 68th and 82nd minutes, trying to inject energy into their attack. Aseako received a yellow card in the 73rd minute for time-wasting, a sign of Ghana’s tactical management.
Andrews Adjabeng and Hayford Adu Boahen came on for the Satellites in the 78th minute as Coach Ofei looked to fresh limbs to maintain the team’s tempo.
Despite increased pressure, Senegal’s finishing let them down with a downward header in the 81st minute being expertly saved by Aseako.
Joseph Aidoo came on for the Satellites in the dying embers of the match, with Marfo continuing to shine, winning a free kick in a dangerous area in the 79th. The free kick was well executed but narrowly missed the target.
Six minutes were added on at the end of regulation time and the Senegalese tried valiantly to grab the equaliser. In the 93rd minute, Senegal had one last chance with a free kick, but once again Aseako held firm.
It was a match of high tempo, missed chances, and brave defending. Ghana’s midfield energy, smart substitutions, and goalkeeping heroics sealed a deserved and hard-earned win over a physically strong Senegal side.
With this victory, the Satellites have secured four points and lie second in the group, behind the Democratic Republic of Congo on goal difference. The top two teams in each group automatically qualify to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Ghana’s goal scorer, the enterprising Emmanuel Mensah, was adjudged the player of the match.
The Satellites will round off their Group C campaign with a match against the Central African Republic who lost 1-3 to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Group’s earlier fixture of the day.
Sports
Armwrestling: Immigration, Prisons meet African champions
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and Ghana Prisons Service (GPS) in separate ceremonies have welcomed officers of both security institutions who recently returned from Abuja, Nigeria after participating in the 14th Africa Armwrestling Championship.
The Director-General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mr. Patience Baffoe Bonnie, and the leadership of the Service, were present to congratulate the champions, Daniel Acquah (four gold medals), Mabel Yeboah (four gold medals) and Henry Otoo (two silver, two bronze), on their impressive performances.
The champions presented their medals to the Director-General, and shared their experiences and insights with the top officials.
During the meeting, the Director-General of the GPS, Mrs Baffoe Bonnie, expressed her excitement about the potential benefits of sports for inmates.
She noted that sports could play a significant role in rehabilitation and pledged to support the development of armwrestling within the prisons service.
In a related development, the Comptroller-General of the GIS, CGI Samuel Basintale, commended his members – Edward Yamoah Asamoah (two gold medals), Blessed Abeka Nunoo (one gold, one silver, two bronze), Godwin Sackey (one gold, one silver) and referee Nii Otoo Larkyne, for the feat.
Mr Basintale promised to provide support for the development of armwrestling within the service, including training facilities, equipment, and sponsorship.
The African Armwrestling champions from the security services won a total of 20 medals out of Ghana’s 55 medal haul.
They expressed gratitude and promised to continue promoting the sport and inspiring others to take up armwrestling.
Mr Charles Osei Asibey, President for Ghana Armwrestling Federation, was thrilled by the promise and continuous collaborations and support for the development of armwrestling in Ghana by the security services.
—GNA
Sports
TTU to honour athletes at 2nd sports awards night
Takoradi Technical University (TTU) will tonight host its 2nd Sports Awards Night to honour outstanding athletes, teams, and contributors who have promoted the institution’s sporting reputation.
The event, which will take place at the Nicholas Aidoo Taylor Auditorium, will be chaired by Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, with Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, as Guest of Honour.
Other dignitaries expected include Member of Parliament for Effia, Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, and Municipal Chief Executive for Effia-Kwesimintsim, Abdul Majeed Dokurgu.
TTU said the awards will celebrate a year marked by exceptional performances, record-breaking moments, and contributions that have boosted both the competitive spirit and institutional pride of the university.
The ceremony will be held under the theme, “Recognising Excellence in Scholarship and Sportsmanship.”
The university noted that it has become a powerhouse in university sports, winning back-to-back championships at the GHATUSA Games in Tamale and Cape Coast.
It attributed the success to integrating sports into academic life, introducing sports scholarships, building the TTU Sports Complex, providing strategic funding, and offering strong logistical support.
Director of Public Affairs and Secretary to the Sports and Recreation Committee, Joseph Mensah Oti-Asirifi, said the awards go beyond recognising individual winners, adding that they are also a tribute to the discipline, resilience, and unity that define TTU’s sporting culture.
He stated that every nominee is a champion whose efforts have brought pride to the university and enhanced its reputation on both national and continental stages.
The programme will feature two segments of award presentations, with categories covering football, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, tennis, handball, badminton, athletics, scrabble, and taekwondo, for both male and female divisions.
Nominees include Jane Membong in athletics, Hajara Ibrahim in basketball, Samuel Aidoo in football, and Prince Egyir in handball, as well as Papa Kwansa Baidoo, Prince Davies, and Ahmed Anas Salis.
Special awards will also be presented to individuals whose contributions have inspired the TTU community beyond the field of competition.
Chairman of the Sports and Recreation Committee, Joseph Danso, said the planning team has worked to ensure the event captures the spirit of sportsmanship, dedication, and unity that characterise TTU sports.
The university recalled that the inaugural edition honoured Raymond French, Sarah Quansah, and Rebecca Mba, setting a high standard for sporting recognition.
By: Jacob Aggrey
