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.
The Black Maidens have departed Accra for Dakar, Senegal, ahead of their crucial final qualifying round first-leg clash for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
A 24-player squad, accompanied by the technical team and officials, left the Accra International Airport on Tuesday aboard ASKY Airlines, determinate to secure a positive result away from home.
The Black Maidens have enjoyed an impressive qualifying campaign and are now just two matches away from booking a place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The team has intensified preparations in recent weeks, with the technical staff fine-tuning tactics and ensuring the players are in peak condition for the decisive encounter.
The team is expected to arrive in Dakar later in the day and victory over the two-legged tie will see the Black Maidens secure qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Forward Brandon Thomas-Asante said the squad’s ambition and ambition and hunger remain intact despite the 2-1 loss to Croatia, stressing the Black Stars are determined “to make a name for ourselves as a nation and to keep that legacy going” heading into the Round of 32.
Speaking after Saturday’s Group L finale at Lincoln Financial Field, the Coventry City player said Ghana’s World Cup mission goes beyond individual goals.
“Yes, I think coming into the World Cup, there’s a lot of ambition, a lot of hopes and what we want to do as a collective on an individual basis,” he said. “And I think it all encompasses within each other that we want to be successful.”
Despite finishing third in the group with 4 points, Ghana progressed to face Colombia on July 4 in Kansas City. The player pointed to belief inside the camp.
“We’re glad that when we look around the dressing room, we see a lot of talent, a lot of ability and a lot of hunger to go and to make a name for ourselves as a nation and to keep that legacy going.”
The comments echo Carlos Queiroz’s message that “qualification is not a destination” and that the “real World Championship starts now.” Ghana reached the knockout stage after a win over Panama, a draw with England, and the narrow defeat to Croatia.
“We’re trying to do our best, to give our best and every game we are trying to make the nation proud,” Derrick Luckassen said earlier. “On to the next game, we have to keep on going.”
Ghana now prepare for Group K winners Colombia, who topped their group unbeaten with 7 points.
