Ghana Black Satellites defeated the Young Lions of Cameroon for a place in the semi-final of the ongoing AFCON U-20 championship in Mauritania. The game was forced to penalties after a 1-1 stalemate in regular and extra time and the Ghanaians proved to be the better on penalties, beating the fancied young Indomitable Lions.
Cameroon and Ghana played out a goalless stalemate at the end of the 90 minutes, the black satellites of Ghana fought hard to win over Cameroon during the penalty shootouts.
Cameroon’s Goni Ali hit the crossbar with the fourth spot kick while Kevin Prince Mila saw his penalty saved by Danlad as the Ghanaians booked a slot in the last four.
Daniel Afriyie, Frank Kwabena, Ivan Anokye and Percious Boah scored Ghana’s penalties while Cameroon’s two were scored by Saidou Alioum and Saidou Ibrahim.
Substitutes Etienne Eto’o and Milla had combined to give Cameroon a 1-0 lead in the first period of added time, but substitute Frank Boateng equalized for the Ghanaians just 70 seconds later.
Both teams approached the game with their handbrakes on and despite the opening half lacking much in pace and explosiveness, there were some chances created.
Ghana’s dangerman Abdul Fatawu Issahaku had a chance with a long range freekick just four minutes in, but it didn’t gather enough power as it calmly rolled into the goalkeeper’s waiting gloves. On the other end Cameroon’s Alioum had an effort with a shot from distance which went wide.
A good passing move at the edge of the box almost opened up Ghana’s first real threat at goal when Patrick Mensah played Daniel Afriyie through, but the latter’s turn inside the box was meant with a strong shield from Cameroon skipper Belanof Meyapya.
Boah was lined up next with an aim at goal, skipper Afriyie setting him up but from the edge of the box, he could only watch as his shot comfortably sailed into the keeper’s path.
Cameroon had a good quality chance on the half hour mark but Bemol Apam failed to cleanly make a heavy contact on the ball when Nchindo John Bosco’s corner evaded everyone inside the box and fell into his path.
Ghana came close again six minutes to the break, Afriyie volleying the ball over after a Cameroonian defensive header attempting to clear out Emmanuel Essiam’s freekick fell kindly on his way inside the box.
At the start of the second half, Cameroon made changes, Apam and Nchindo coming off for Kevin Prince Milla and Abdoulaye Yahaya. The young Indomitable Lions were forced into a change when top striker Sunday Jang Junior had to be stretchered off after going down for the second time in the game.
In his place, coach Ousmanou Christophe brought in midfielder Yanike Tenkou, with Marc Atangana being pushed upfield to partner Milla in the attack.
Ghana were forced to make a change late on with Mensah coming off injured and Emmanuel Agyemang taking his place. Ghana almost provided a last minute source of jubilation but Fatawu’s low strike from his favorite left foot evaded the target by a whisker.
With no winner in regular time, the game was stretched into an extra 30 minutes.
Cameroon took the lead in the 102nd minute when Mila rose highest inside the box to head home an Etienne corner. But, the lead lasted only 70 seconds with Ghana equalizing through Boateng after the Cameroonian backline went to sleep straight from the restart.
At the start of the second period of added time Ghana brought in some fresh legs, Fatawu and Essiam being rested for Joselpho Barnes and James Ampofo, both strikers. But, the game didn’t have more goals and headed to penalties.
