By: Kwame Bediako
Ghana’s U-20 men’s national team, the Black Satellites, booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2025 WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship after a resilient 1-0 victory against Benin on Wednesday at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
The match-winning goal came from winger Bless Ege in the 52nd minute, who calmly converted a through ball from captain Aziz Misbau. Despite losing a player to a red card early in the second half, Ghana held on under intense pressure to claim the crucial win.
The first half was tightly contested with few clear chances, although Ghana goalkeeper Gidios Aseako made a key save in the 31st minute to keep the score level. The game took a dramatic turn in the 40th minute when Medeama forward Kelvin Nkrumah saw a second yellow card for a reckless tackle, reducing Ghana to 10 men for the entire second half. Despite this setback, the Black Satellites displayed excellent defensive organization and determination to withstand Benin’s persistent attacks.
Benin pressed aggressively in the latter part of the match, dominating possession but failing to create significant opportunities to breach Ghana’s defense.
Meanwhile, Ghana nearly doubled their lead when Peter Amidu Acquah of Asante Kotoko narrowly missed a chance in the 72nd minute. The Black Satellites’ discipline and resilience proved decisive, ensuring they maintained their slender advantage until the final whistle.
Ghana finished second in Group A with four points, following a 1-1 draw against Nigeria in their opening game. Nigeria also advanced to the semi-finals from the group. Benin, having lost both group matches, exited the tournament without earning any points. The victory sets Ghana on a promising path in the WAFU Zone B tournament, with hopes high to advance further.
The 2025 WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship continues to showcase emerging talents in West African football, with teams fiercely competing for regional supremacy and qualification to the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. Ghana’s strong defensive performance and tactical discipline on Wednesday exemplify their ambition to add to their storied youth football success in the region.
