Sports News of Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Source: Joy

Ghana 4:3 South Africa (Full-Time)

The Black Satellites of Ghana, the national Under-20 football team, beat their South African counterparts 4:3 to qualify for the finals of the African Youth Championships in Rwanda.

Striker Dominic Adiyiah planted the ball in the roof of the South African net in the 26th minute after pouncing on a pull-out by striking partner, Ransford Osei, who outran South Africa’s Hilatshwayo Thulani on the right to plant the pass.

Ransford Osei followed up with Ghana’s second goal on the stroke of half-time, squeezing the ball home in the six-yard box after the South African goalkeeper failed to make a first time save of Osei’s earlier strike.

The South African’s pulled a goal back in the 54th minute, however the Ghanaians rallied quickly to restore their lead through skipper Andre Ayew who headed home from close range.

Striker Ransford Osei completed Ghana’s haul in the 71st minute, before Thulani (73rd) and Bhengu Phumelele (88th, penalty) scored for South Africa.

The Black Satellites will play the winner of the second semi-final game between Nigeria and Cameroon.

Ghana Line-up:

1 Agyei Daniel, 2 Inkoom Samuel, 3 Awako Gladson/17 Quansah Abeiku, 4 Mensah Jonathan, 5 Addo Daniel 6 Addy David, 8 Agyemang Emmanuel Badu, 10 Ayew Andre Dede/7 Adu Enock Kofi, 11 Adiyiah Dominic, 14 Donkor Isaac, 18 Osei Ransford.

Reserve

9 Salifu Latif, 12 Kassenu Ghandy, 13 Asiamah Godfred Rockson 15 Boampong Phillip, 16 Addo Joseph.

South Africa Line-up

4 Hilatshwayo Thulani, 5 Mphahlele Ramahlwe, 6 Mokotjo Kamohelo,7 Claasen Dylon, 10 Serero Thulani, 11 Khwela Philani,12 Masango Mandla, 13 Matuka Thabang, 14 Bhengu Phumelele, 16 Ngobeni Thela, 17 Maluleka George.

Reserve

1 Pule Boalefa, 2 Nyafoza Sipho, 3 Coetzee Coldrin, 8 Morton Michael 9 Ngcepe Thulane, 15 Sondhlane Bongani, 16 Ngobeni Thela, 17 Maluleka George, 18 Nyanda Mduduzi.