NEWS

01-24-2009

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Subject : Ghanaʼs Satellites dash Rwandanʼs hope to qualify
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Ghanaʼs Satellites dash Rwandanʼs hope to qualify

Ghana Black Satellites made certain of a ticket to the World Championship with a 2-0 victory over hosts Rwanda in the ultimate Group A fixture at the ongoing 16th African Youth Championship on Saturday at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

A second half brace from Israeli-based striker Ransford Osei ensured victory for the West Africans and dashed the World Championship ambitions of the Junior Wasps.

Not even the presence of Rwanda President, Paul Kagame could serve an added motivation for the hosts, who found the Ghanaians a mountain too tall to climb.

With Free State Stars defender Jonathan Mensah staring at the backline of the Black Satellites, the two-time champions played their best game at the competition so far yet the opener remained elusive.

The Rwandans matched them squarely in every department with a performance that smelt of their quest for a semi-final berth.

The Ghanaians started the second half brightly and their efforts yielded dividends in the 68th minute when Osei struck home from an acute angle after a colleague had put him through.

Ten minutes to full time, the Maccabi Haifa hit-man made it two by connecting with his head a Samuel Inkoom cross from the right, which effectively ended the aspirations of the host nation.

By the victory, Ghana finished Group A on seven points, followed by Cameroon on five points with Rwanda and Mali in that order on four and zero points.

In the other Group A match, Cameroon edged past Mali 3-0 for the second slot for the next stage. The result ensured Mali ended the competition without a point and letting in seven goals.

Ghana and Cameroon join South Africa as the three teams to have qualified for the World Championship slated for Egypt next September.