Can the Black Satellites make it to the African Youth Championship ?

Published on: 15 July 2016
Can the Black Satellites make it to the African Youth Championship ?
Black Satellites

The Ghana U-20 side went down 1-3 at the hands of their Senegalese counterparts in the first leg final round of African Youth Championship qualifiers at the Demba Diop Stadium.

The hope of the starlets qualifying for the tournament is in danger.

One of the best players in the U-20 set-up Yaw Yeboah has been in fine form during the qualifiers as he scored two goals against Ethiopia to help the Satellites qualify to the final round of qualifiers on 5-2 on aggregate failed to conjure his magic in Senegal.

The mantle has been made more difficult and trickery as the Senegalese is determined to make it to the tournament this time around.

They been preparing vigorously since the qualifiers began and do not want o leave any stone on turn as they aim to make a mark for themselves and the nation as a whole.

Coach Mas-Ud Dramani's side was seeking a positive away result from home.

The U-20 side boost of quality players who can turn things around when Senegalese come to Accra for the second league next Friday.

The Black Satellites needed two goals to see of the Ethiopians in the last round of qualifiers and did so in grand style, now they will have to reproduce the same level of efficiency and effectiveness to see off their Senegalese counterparts.

This won’t be easy at all and questions have been raised by fans and pundits of the game.

Since 2009 when the Andre Ayew led team when the world cup by beating Brazil on penalties, the Black Satellites have failed on numerous occasions to qualify and replicate the success they had.

The current Black Stars squad has players from the 2009 U-20 squad and this indicates a good sign of progress of the boys.

The Satellites have all to play for in the return league encounter.

Yaw Yeboah, who played for Lille in France last season, said the team had little knowledge about the physique of Senegalese team, adding he was closely marked by two huge players throughout the game.

He said: “Their physical presence was a mouthful. I was closely marked by two players who followed me everywhere I went. At a point, one of them followed me even when I was talking to Coach Didi,” he concluded.

The 19-year old is optimistic as well the his coach that the team could pulled off a magic to qualify for the Africa Youth Championship to be held next year in Zambia and hope to be part of the four teams that will qualify for 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup to be held in South Korea.

By Joseph Agbobli      Email:[email protected]

 

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