Ghana U20 beat Benin to revive qualification hopes at AYC

Published on: 19 March 2013

Ghana revived their campaign at the 2013 African Youth Championship by beating Benin 1-0 in Ain Temouchent on Tuesday.

The Black Satellites missed a hatful of scoring chances in the first half but bagged the points at the Stade Omar Ouccief.

On two minutes, striker Ebenezer Assafuah failed to direct Richmond Nketiah's cross from the right from the 18-yard box.

His right foot connection went over the bar after he broke away from his marker.

Another right-wing delivery from Nketiah was headed over the goal post by Assafuah.

Benin threatened later with midfielder Raimi Kowiyou Kola attempting to score from 30 yards but Ghana goalkeeper Eric Ofori Antwi easily picked it up.

In the 8th minute, Assafuah was brought down inside the box but he was already in an illegal position as the assistant referee flagged for offside.

After a quarter of an hour, Udinese-bound midfielder Clifford Aboagye shot from just outside the box but Benin goalkeeper Saturnin Allagbe palmed it first before grabbing with a second attempt

Assafuah missed a glorious opportunity to open the scoring after the Liberty Professionals marksman had intercepted a pass and burrowed into the box but he surprisingly missed.

His effort was a few meters away from goal.

Assafuah again dribbled his way into the box but powered his effort wide from 15 yards. This was followed by a nicely intervention from a Benin defender after Narh put Assafuah through.

Ebenezer Ofori came close to scoring after he was teed up by Aboagye but he shot feebly into the arms of Allagbe.

Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh made two changes at half-time by bringing on Moses Odjer for Aboagye and Frank Sarfo Gyamfi had to replace Michael Anaba.

As the second half got underway, Benin made the first dangerous move but Ofori tipped a dipping cross from the right.

The Black Satellites also responded with attempts from from Narh and Assafuah all failing to find the back of the net.

Then Odjer won a free-kick and laid a pass for Ofori who whipped in a cross which Assafuah applied his head to for the opening goal.

Substitute Adjayi had chance after spinning well inside the box but he shot at goal was easy for Antwi.

The Young Squirrels threw everything at the Satellites but were denied partly by poor finishing and a watertight defence.

Ghana will play hosts Algeria in their final Group match on Saturday in Ain Temouchent.

Ghana U20 squad:

Eric Ofori Antwi- Lawrence Lartey, Joseph Attamah Larweh, Richard Nketiah, Jeremiah Akorful- Clifford Aboagye/Moses Odjer, Siedu Salifu, Ebenezer Ofori, Michael Anaba/Frank Sarfo Gyamfi-Francis Narh/ Derrick Appiah and Ebenezer Assafuah

Benin:

Saturnin Allagbe-Mama Siebou, Nabil Abdel Yarou, Raimi Kowiyou Kola/Femi Adjayi-Ezeckiel Obi Okotou/Jacque Bessan, Maldinho Quenum/Daniel Lanignan, Federic Hounkponou, Fousseni Lazadi, David Djigla, Bonou Jerome Agossa-Kamarou Dine Koukpere.

 

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