Ghana To Play Senegal

Ghana national U-20 team will play Senegal in the final phase of the 2017 African Youth Championship (AYC) qualifiers.

The Black Satellites thumped Ethiopia 4-0 at the Cape Coast sports stadium on Monday to book qualification to final round of the qualifying series on 5-2 on aggregate, and will play the Young Terranga Lions after they matched past Tunisia 4-1 on aggregate

Two goals in each half from Yaw Yeboah and one each from Dauda Mohammed and Evans Mensah were enough to earn Masa-ud Didi Dramani’s men a ticket to Dakar to face the East Africans.

The 2009 World Youth Champions first will travel it Darkar for the first leg on July 7 before hosting the second encounter in a fortnight (July 21).

The winner of the double will join seven other in Zambia for the tournament next year.

Ghana To Play Senegal

Satellites Turn Focus Against Senegal

The Black Satellites have turned their attention quickly to the next stages of the Africa Youth Championship (AYC) after sailing past Ethiopia.

The national U-20 team will meet Senegal phase of the qualifiers, and Masa-ud Didi Dramani, who masterminded the success over Ethiopia wants the team to focus on the next target.

“The team played very well and we deserved the victory but we have to move on from there and start preparing for the next game,” Dramani told Accra-based radio station, Citi FM.

“My understanding of the game allows me to continue working on improving my side both physically and tactically and that is what we have to continue doing.” he said.

The winner of the tie will book qualification to Zambia for the 2017 edition of the AYC.

Satellites Turn Focus Against Senegal

AYC Qualifier Report: Ghana Thrash Ethiopia

Ghana booked a ticket to play Senegal in the final phase of Zambia 2017 Africa Youth Championship qualifier after 5-1 aggregate victory over Ethiopia.

The Black Satellites lost the first leg 2-1 a fortnight ago in Addis Ababa, but recovered to record a resounding win on Monday.

Two goals from 2015 World Youth Championship participant, Yaw Yeboah and a goal each from Ghana Premier League (GPL) duo Dauda Mohammed and Evqms Mensah were enough to seal qualification to the next stage of the qualifiers at the expense of their opponents.

The Satellites started on the front foot just their opponents did in Addis Ababa, and scored two goals within eight minutes to take full control of the game.

However, the Ethiopians held to on go into the dressing room for recess with the tie not beyond their reach. The National U-20 team killed the tie courtesy of Inter Allies’ Evans Mensah who scored the third goal after almost an hour before Yaw Yeboah nailed the final effort to seal qualification.

The Black Satellites will meet Senegal in the final phase over two legs and the winner will book a ticket to Zambia for the Africa Youth Championship.

AYC Qualifier Report: Ghana Thrash Ethiopia

Dauda Eyes Satellites Qualification

Dauda Mohammed is optimistic of Black Satellites qualification over Ethiopia U-20 team.

The former U-20 world champions will host the young Walias on Sunday, June 12, at the newly constructed 15,000-seater Cape Coast Sports Stadium in the Central Region.

Ghana lost the first leg 2-1 to Ethiopia three-weeks ago and Dauda Mohammed is sure of his side’s qualification.

“We know what it has stake. We have to win to get a qualification into the next stage of the qualifiers and I’m sure we will achieve that,” Dauda told pulse.com.gh

“In the first leg they won at their home and the away goal we had there will help us a lot. We will not be complacent because we are going all out to get a convincing win on the day.

“We have a good team and a good technical bench so we are calling on the fans to rally their support behind us on Sunday,” he added

A qualification for Ghana will see them face the winner of Senegal and Tunisia in the final qualifying game for the 2017 AYC tourney which will be held in Zambia.

Source: pulse.com.gh.

Dauda Eyes Satellites Qualification

Minister Charges Satellites To Qualify

The Central Regional Minister, Hon. Kweku Ricketts Hagan paid a visit to the camp of the Ghana national U-20 team, Black Satellites.

The purpose of the visit was to motivate the next generation of the Black Stars ahead of their Africa Youth Championship second leg qualifier against Ethiopia.

The 2009 World Youth Champions succumbed to a 2-1 defeat in a Addis Ababa a fortnight ago, and will need to score at least a goal without conceding to stand a chance of progressing to the final phase of the qualifier at the expense of the Ethiopians.

And Mr. Hagan, who also doubles as Member of Parliament, reckon they have the qualities to progress on Sunday.

“I saw you play at the Cape Coast stadium the day it was commissioned and you did very well, though the Chinese drew the game.

“You did very well that…though you lost (in Addis Ababa), I know you will win this time around and get to the 2017 tournament (in Zambia).”

Hon. Hagan also promised the Satellites they have the backing of the people in the region, and they will throw their weight behind them to achieve glory on match-day.

“We will do everything possible that we can to support you to make sure that you’re fully prepared to win the game on Sunday.

“We will try and mobilise the people in come to stadium and gibe you the support that you need to qualify.” He said.

Minister Charges Satellites To Qualify

Qualification Is Our Ultimate

Mas-ud Didi Dramani says qualifying the Black Satellites to the next phase of the 2017 Africa Youth Championship (AYC) at the expense of Ethiopia is his priority.

The Ghana national U-20 team succumbed of 2-1 defeat in Addis Ababa a fortnight ago, and will require at least 1 goal without conceding to stand the chance of playing either Senegal or Tunisia in the final phase of the qualifiers.

Ahead of the second leg slated for Sunday at the Cape Coast Sports stadium, the former Asante Kotoko coach said:

“I commended the boys for a good job in the first leg. Even those of us on the bench were tired because of the altitude so they did well.

“Securing the qualification is our ultimate goal and I am very hopeful that we will qualify on Sunday,” he added.

Qualification Is Our Ultimate

Satellites Return From Ethiopia

The Black Satellites of Ghana has returned from Ethiopia after honouring the first leg if the 2017 Africa Youth Championship qualifier in Addis Ababa.

The national U-20 team lost the game 1-2 on Sunday, and has returned to prepare for the second leg in a fortnight.

The team arrived at the Kotoka International Airport earlier on Monday, and the players were immediately dispersed to take a rest and resume camp later this week.

Ghana will need to score a goal without conceding to stand a chance of playing either Tunisia or Senegal in the third and final phase of the qualifying series.

Satellites Return From Ethiopia

Didi Blames Ethiopia Weather

Masud Didi Dramani, head coach of Ghana’s U-20 National team, blamed the weather for his side’s 1-2 defeat to Ethiopia in the first leg of the 2017 Africa Youth Championship qualifier in Addis Ababa on Sunday.

The Black Satellites conceded the two goals under 10 minutes, but pulled one back courtesy of Jonathan Osabutey’s late consolation goal.

“It was a difficult game not in terms of technical, or tactical but in terms of climatic conditions, which was something we were thinking about.

“We tried to strategise, we strategised very well in order to try and conserve a lot of energy to last the full duration of the game and, unfortunately, we committed individual technical errors, which you cannot correct as a coach when the game is going on,” he said in a post-match interview.

He praised the team for an impressive performance, despite the hot humidity and is certain of a victory in the second leg to qualify.

“Yet, still, I want to congratulate these boys because what they went through, only God knows. … They were going through their first and [worst] experience of their lives, if not for what I had told them about what the altitude was all about.

“But I think they were able to fight. We had to push them beyond [their limit] and we ended the game in the opponents’ half. We were always pushing for the needed goals,” he added.

The winner of the tie over the two legs will meet either Tunisia or Senegal.

Didi Blames Ethiopia Weather

Dramani Attributes Satellites Defeat To Poor Weather

Head coach of Ghana’s under 20 team- the Black Satellites, Mas’Ud Didi Dramani, has attributed his side’s 2-1 defeat against Ethiopia to climate and defensive lapses.

The match was the first leg of the African Youth Championship second round qualifier and the Black Satellites needed a good result ahead of the second leg in Accra.

However, two quick goals in the first 20 minutes handed the home side an early advantage but Jonathan Osabutey scored late in the second half to give the Black Satellites a straightforward duty of winning by at least a goal in the second leg.

And speaking to the press after the game, Ghana’s trainer, Didi Dramani said that bad choices of defensive judgment and the weather led to the result.

“I think it was a difficult match but the challenge was not tactical or technical. The problem we had was with the weather”, he said.

‘’ We tried to manage the situation and we tried to strategize to help us conserve energy (due to the high altitude). Unfortunately, we committed errors.

“We gave the ball away in our defensive third and that is something you pay for in football. We had to play against the wind and we struggled all game but it was not new to me.

“I came to play at the same venue with the Princesses and we experienced the wind too. In that match, we defended the end that was against the wind and on Sunday with the Satellites, we were at the same end. I told the players to be careful but we conceded”, Dramani added.

The Satellites are scheduled to arrive in Ghana on Monday to get ready for the second leg on June 12.

Dramani Attributes Satellites Defeat To Poor Weather

Ghana Suffer Defeat In Addis Ababa

Ghana suffered defeat in the first leg of the 2017 Africa Youth Champions qualifier against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.

The national U-20 team went down 2-0 under 10 minutes, but 88th minute consolation goal from Jonathan Osabutey means the former world youth champions return to Ghana with an advantage ahead of the second leg.

Didi Dramani named an attack minded team and he paid the price early as the host took the lead within four minutes into the game.

Three minutes later, Ethiopia doubled their advantage, giving Ghana mountain to climb.

The Satellites bulked up and took the game to their opponents but were unable to reduce the deficit within the first half.

Ghana improved the second department of the game but breaking the back line of Ethiopia was difficult. However, at the dying embers the Jonathan Osabutey scored to reduce the deficit.

Time ran out for Ghana to draw parity, but the away goal gives the Satellites the edge ahead of the second leg in Accra in a fortnight.

The winner of the tie over the two legs will meet Tunisia or Senegal.

Ghana Suffer Defeat In Addis Ababa

Ghana XI v Ethiopia

Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, head coach of the Black Satellites has named his starting XI to face Ethiopia on Sunday afternoon in the 2017 African Youth Championship qualifier in Addis Ababa.

Experienced Premier League duo Daniel Amoah and Issahaku Konda will be at the heart of defence with Enoch Adu and Geoffrey Acheampong as wing backs.

Dreams FC’s Emmanuel Lomotey, Unity Stars Michael Otu and Inter Allies Isaac Twum will marshall the centre of the pitch for the Satellites.

The attacking department of the team will be spearheaded by Asante Kotoko’s Dauda Mohammed, and with him to seek to do the damage is Charles Boateng and Jonathan Osabutey.

The winner of the tie over two legs will play Tunisia or Senegal.

Ghana U20 starting XI: Kwame Baah, Enoch Adu, Geofrey Acheampong, Daniel Amoah, Issahaku Konda, Michel Otuo, Isaac Twum, Emmanuel Lomotey, Jonathan Osabutey, Charles Boateng, Dauda Mohamed (c).

Subs: Joseph Paintsil, Evans Mensah, Moses Sarpong, Nicholas Opoku, Benjamin Asiedu, Kingsley Fobi, Mohammed Armando

Ghana XI v Ethiopia

AYC Qualifier: Ghana Black Statellites Leave Today For Ethiopia

Ghana’s U-20 national team, the Black Satellites will leave today for their Africa Youth Championship qualifier against Ethiopia.

Coach Mas-Ud-Didi Dramini and his charges are expected to depart the country tonight for the first leg tie at the Addis Ababa Stadium on Sunday.

A contingent made up of players and officials will depart to the East African country in their bid to qualify for next year’s Championships in Zambia.

Ghana are chasing their fifth successive appearance at the youth tournament having finished third in the last edition of the competition hosted by Senegal.

A good result in Addis Ababa will make the return leg in Ghana a mere formality.

AYC Qualifier: Ghana Black Statellites Leave Today For Ethiopia

Unearthing Talents Is Our Target - Kweku Eyiah

Management Committee chairman of the Black Starlets of Ghana, Lawyer Kweku Eyiah has said that Ghanaians should not expect a national U-17 team ready to win trophies.

The Black Starlets are two-time Africa Youth Championship winners in 1995 and 1999. They’ve also been FIFA U-17 World Cup Champions in 1991 and

1995 and a two-time Runner-up in 1993 and 1997.

The junior national team has always been a force to reckon with in youth tournaments but off late, they’ve been poor.

But Lawyer Eyiah insist the current nationwide search for talents is purposely for future stars and not for immediate success.

“I think the focus is clearly to build a team of future stars. It is not about winning trophies, it is not about performing excellently at the U-17 tournament levels and within few years down the Iine most of the players go on (premature) retirement and others into oblivion — forgotten stars,” Mr. Eyiah told TV3 Ghana.

“What we intend to do is to unearth talents for the future. We want to build a team that within few years, we can have players in the Black Stars. If a player is discovered here and such a player makes it to the World Cup in Qatar 2022, it means that we have done a good a job and that’s what we are looking at,” he added.

The search for the next set of senior national teams ended in Ashanti Region last week and the technical team  is now in the Greater Accra region.

Unearthing Talents Is Our Target - Kweku Eyiah