U20 AFCON: Senegal crash Ghana to pick World Cup ticket

The Black Satellites was defeated by The Junior Teranga Lions of Senegal

The Junior Teranga Lions of Senegal dented the hopes of Ghana for an easy qualification to 2019 Under 20 World Cup in Poland with a 2-0 scoreline.

The Black Satellites now face an uphill task to secure qualification as they need to beat or get a draw against Mali, a team they lost twice to at the Under 17 level in 2017.

Ghana started the Group B game poorly with the central defensive pair of skipper Ishaku Konda Gideon Mensah visibly at sea.

It took Senegal just ten minutes to punish the Black Satellites as a timely cross from the right was headed beautifully into the left corner of the post by Youssouph Badji with both Konda and Mensah lazily caught ball watching.

Ghana stepped up their game with some wonderful display by Mohammed Kudus who went on two solo runs in the 25th and 30th minute but his efforts missed target narrowly.

With just two minutes to end the first half, Badji made it two for his side with a poking effort after going past Mensah and Konda.

The second half started brightly with Ghana slightly on top but still unable to find the cutting edge as striker Daniel Lomotey decided to play a “standing 9”.

Ghana could have reduced the deficit in the 65th minute but Lomotey’s strike from inside the box missed target after he was played through.

Coach Jimmy Cobblah brought on Ibrahim Sadiq for Emmanuel Toku in the 75th minute as the Cheetah FC winger was finding it difficult going past the bulky Senegalese. The change brought some urgency into the game for Ghana through the Senegalese remained resolute and held on to the 2-0 win.

Senegal has now qualified to the World Cup in Poland and also the semi-finals of the AFCON with a game to spare.