The Black Satellites of Ghana wrapped up their group stage campaign in the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations with a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Central African Republic on Thursday.
Joseph Opoku climbed from the bench to score the decisive goal in the 82nd minute, securing Desmond Ofei’s side’s second win in the competition.
Ghana entered the match following a draw against DR Congo and a 1-0 victory over Senegal, aiming to maintain their unbeaten record.
In contrast, the Central African Republic had drawn their opener against Senegal before suffering a loss to DR Congo in their second game.
The match was a closely contested affair, with Ghana dominating possession and creating several scoring opportunities.
Abdul Aziz Issah, the Barcelona B midfielder, was particularly industrious, but unfortunately for Ghana, he couldn’t capitalise on his chances, leaving the scoreline goalless at halftime.
The Black Satellites continued to press after the break, threatening the CAR defense on multiple occasions.
However, it wasn’t until the 82nd minute that they finally broke through.
Opoku, who had recently come on as a substitute, received a long pass from Ishmael Addo, skillfully beat his markers, and slotted a low finish past the CAR goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
Ghana’s defence held strong in the remaining minutes, securing a 1-0 victory and earning all three points. This win saw the Black Satellites finish top of Group C with seven points, confirming their spot in the quarterfinals.
They will now face one of the third-placed teams in Group A or B, setting the stage for an exciting showdown.
The win marked a confident conclusion to the group stage for the Black Satellites, who will look to build on their momentum as they progress in the tournament.
With their sights set on the final, the team will aim to continue their impressive form and make a strong push for the championship.