Can Satellites beat Tunisia?

The countdown for the final African Youth Championship eliminator is almost over as the Black Satellites step up gear in concluding preparations for their Tunisian counterparts

At long last, Sunday will be the date and Kumasi stadium the venue for the satellites to define their destiny in the impending continental championship at that level in Burkina Faso early next year.

On appositive note, the Ghanaians have a high standard to match up to following the excellence record of their predecessors in last year's Africa and world championships in Ethiopia and Argentina respectively.

Incidentally, the previous squad supervised by 'coach hene' E.K. Afrnie, picked silver in both championships to maintain to nation's pedigree at that level. These feats are expected to serve as the plumb line to measure the success of the present generation of the team who are equally eager to excel.

As if designed, the previous squad had to contend with Africa opposition in the final qualifier in the final qualifier similar to what Coach A.K.Adusei's boys will be facing. The only difference is that last year's opponents were Algeria while this time, the challenge is coming from Tunisia.

However, the Satellites cannot lose sight of the usual resilience, which is a common feature of teams from the Maghreh region. Experienced, as he is, coach Adusei will surely be up to the task knowing too well the unpredictable nature of their opponents at home.

Last year, it took a strong resolve and determination for the Satellites to break through on a 3-2 aggregate after a slim 1-0 first leg win in Accra.

With this as their guide, the new talented step out there to ensure a good win on Saturday to render the return encounter a less arduous assignment.

With a period of about three months preparations, the Satellites exhibited their potential within the past two weeks when they beat Hearts of Oak 2-1 and drew goalless with Asante Kotoko a few days later before their return leg match against Ghazel El-Mahala.

Before then, they had held Goldfields and Hasaacas to drawn games in addition to two international friendless against their Egyptian counterparts in Cairo which ended 2-2 and 2-1 in favour of the homesters last July.

Featuring the new kid on the block, Kwadwo Opoku of Kotoko fame on top of the attack, the Satellites parade quite a solid squad with a lot of promise.

In goal, either Alex Adjepong or Isaac Amoako (pictured) represents a safe pair of hands while the well-organized defensive network includes Habib Mohammed, Daniel Coleman, William Thompson. In midfield will be tireless Yusif Chibsah, with nimble-footed Massawudu Mumuni and Michael Ocansey completing the attacking symphony.