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

Football fraternity commiserate with family of late Wilberforce Mfum

The Ghana Football Association wishes to express its deepest condolences to the families of late Ghana legend Wilberforce Mfum.

The GFA received with shock the news of the demise of the former Swedru All Blacks, Asante Kotoko, and Black Stars player on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

Affectionately called ‘the Bulldozer’ due to his immense strength and clinical finishing during his days at Asante Kotoko and the Black Stars, Mfum was a household name during his playing days, and his legacies in Ghana Football will forever be written in gold.

He was a member of the 1963 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, scoring Ghana’s first goal in the tournament and netting twice in the final to help Ghana win their first continental title.

Noted for his scintillating goal-scoring prowess, he scored 20 goals in 26 appearances for Ghana and shone in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Wilberforce Mfum was a standout performer for Swedru All Blacks and Asante Kotoko before taking his talent overseas to play for Baltimore Bays, Ukrainian SC, Ukrainian Nationals, and New York Cosmos in the United States of America.

He leaves behind a lasting legacy as a trailblazer and a respected figure in the history of Ghana Football.

The thoughts and prayers of the GFA and the entire football fraternity are with his family at this difficult time. May his soul Rest In Perfect Peace.

Sports

Ghana vs Egypt – Quarterfinal Thriller at the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations

In a pulsating quarterfinal clash between Ghana and Egypt at the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, the young Pharaohs edged the gallant Black Satellites 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation and extra time.

Ghana controlled the early exchanges, nearly capitalizing on a second-minute chance. Egypt responded with a wasted freekick in the 6th minute, setting the tone for a tightly contested opening.

Both teams showed flashes of attacking threat, but the first 15 minutes remained cagey, with Egypt committing multiple fouls to disrupt Ghana’s rhythm.

Ghana’s Phenyin-Denis Marfo received a yellow card in the 15th minute, followed by Egypt picking up their own caution three minutes later.

A costly error by the Satellites’ defence in the 19th minute gifted Egypt the opener, scored by Mohammed Sherif after a lengthy VAR check confirmed the goal. Just eight minutes later, a defensive mix-up allowed Sherif to double Egypt’s lead.

Despite the setback, Ghana pressed forward, with Aziz Issah firing over the bar from a 36th-minute freekick and a header from a goalmouth scramble cleared off the line in the 43rd minute. Their persistence paid off when Issah rifled in a long-range strike in the first minute of first half added time to halve the deficit.

The Satellites began the second half with renewed energy. A series of chances followed — DaCosta and Denis both coming close — and Egypt had to make several defensive adjustments through substitutions. Jerry Afriyie missed two promising headers, and Aziz Issah continued to test the Egyptian goalkeeper.

As Ghana mounted pressure, tempers flared; an Egyptian official was red carded in the 77th minute.

The Satellites appealed for a penalty in the 85th minute, but VAR ruled against them. Lord Afrifa, in midfield, and Joseph Opoku, on the left flank, were very influential throughout the 90 minutes of regulation time.

Ghana’s resilience paid off in stoppage time: after a long VAR check, the Satellites were awarded a penalty and Hakim converted the spot kick to level the match at 2-2.

Ghana dominated extra time, despite going a man down when Essel was red carded in the 2nd minute of the second period. Aseako made a crucial save from the resulting freekick, and the team battled on bravely. Aidoo and Aziz Issah had chances, while Musibau headed over in the dying moments of the first period.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Ghana still created chances but could not find the winner. Egypt replaced their goalkeeper just before the end of extra time, perhaps anticipating the shootout.

In the shootout, Ghana scored through Aziz, Denis, Opoku, and Musibau — but DaCosta’s miss proved decisive. Egypt converted all five of their kicks, sealing a dramatic victory and booking their place in the semifinals.

Final Score: Egypt 2 (5) – 2 (4) Ghana (after penalties)

A valiant fightback by the Satellites ended in an undesired outcome, but their spirit and determination shone throughout, and they exit the tournament with heads held high.

Hakim Abdul Sulemana won the Player of the match award.