ACTUALITE |
19.10.2009
Ghana Makes Africa Proud
Fred VUBEM
They made history as the first African team to win the Under-20 World last Friday.
Ten-man Ghana made a historic triumph at the 17th edition of the Under-20 World Cup in Cairo, Egypt with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Brazil. The Black Satellites who had a player, Daniel Addo unjustly sent off, produced a fabulous defensive display to deny the Brazilians victory.
The encounter ended on a zero all draw after extra-time and Brazil were made to pay when Alex Teixeira`s weak effort was saved in sudden death. Both sides had missed two penalties out of the first five taking the game to sudden death. Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu scored the winner as Ghana became the first African team to win the tournament. The victory of Ghana augers well for the performance of African teams in the first world Cup to be organised on African soil next year in South Africa given that the Black Satellites crushed great football countries like England and Germany along their way. Despite playing one man down, the Black Satellites were able not only to contain the onslaught of the Brazilians but also make incursions into the vital territory of the Samba Boys, creating panic in their defence. After the dismal performance of other African ambassadors like Egypt, Nigeria and Cameroon. Ghana single-handedly raised the African flag to the highest firmament of football on the globe as if to say, Africa has come of age.
The competition revealed new budding stars in African football like Dede Ayew and Dominic Adiyiah who should normally be integrating the senior national team in the expedition to South Africa 2010. There is also the spectacular performance of the Ghanaian goalkeeper, who was very decisive in the outcome of the match. He foiled two glaring goal opportunities for Brazil and it was his talent in stopping penalties that gave victory to Ghana. The Black satellites equally produced the best attack in the competition with 16 goals to their credit, followed by the unfortunate finalists, Brazil with 14 goals. After two unsuccessful attempts in the finals in 1993 and 2001, Ghana finally had a well deserved victory though clinched at the very last minute from the penalty spot. But as the saying goes, the harder the battle the sweeter the victory.
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