The Black Satellites of Ghana have secured a place in next year’s Africa U-20 Cup of Nations to be held in Mauritania after progressing to the final of the WAFU Zone B U-20 tournament.
Ghana defeated Niger on penalties by 5-3 to automatically secure a place in the youth tournament.
It was an uninspiring performance from the Black Satellites who were poor on the day but got lucky from the penalty spot.
After an explosive start to the game, Ghana were denied the lead after two brilliant saves in succession by Niger goalie Abubakar Issaka.
The Nigerian shot-stopper saved a Mugeez Zakaria strike after he has been sent through by Asiam before acrobatically punching a ferocious volley from Sulley Mohammed.
The save from the latter forced an injury in the goalkeeper, who had to be replaced after attempts to continue the game proved futile.
Few minutes after the substitution, the Nigerians had a golden opportunity to take the lead but the attacker’s effort went wide off the post.
Precious Boah, who was returning from a game suspension pulled a save from second goalie Omar Lawali after a good control and a left foot strike.
However, the second half of the game saw both sides share a fair amount of possession but again Boah’s 56th-minute freekick nearly gave Ghana the lead after rattling the crossbar.
Both sides began to approach the game cautiously with the clock ticking forcing the game into extra time.
Ghana had a goal ruled out as offside in the second half of extra time before coach Karim Zito brought on goalkeeper Emmanuel Essue for Dan Lad Ibrahim as penalties approached.
The Black Satellites converted all their spot-kicks whilst Niger missed the first kick and could not get back into the game.
Ghana will play the winner in the other semi-final game between Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire in the final.
