Ghana’s Black Satellites have missed out on qualifying for the 2025 FIFA World Cup after failing to make it to the semifinals of the CAF AFCON U-20 Championship.
Ghana lost 5-4 to Egypt on penalties after drawing 2-2 at the end of regulation time; the score remained same at the end of the extra time to force the game to penalties.
Dacosta Antwi missed his penalty kick attempt and that miss proved costly as the host nation converted all five kicks to qualify to the semifinals and prevent Ghana from completing a brilliant comeback from a 2-0 deficit early in the game.
Mohammed Sherif capitalized on two defensive breakdowns from the Black Satellites to grab a brace with his first goal coming in the 19th minute and his second coming in the 27th minute.
For his first, Sherif took advantage of a miscommunication between goalkeeper Gidios Aseako and Ghana captain Ofori McCarthy to toe poke the ball into the net.
Sheriff’s second goal was almost a carbon copy of his first as Aseako and McCarthy again, messed up what should have been a straight forward clearance on a long ball.
Aseako and McCarthy hesitated to clear their lines, allowing Sheriff to pick up the ball, round up Aseako and coolly slotting the ball into the net.
Ghana midfielder Abdul Aziz Issah pulled a goal back in the first half in the 47th minute when his speculative shot squirmed past Egyptian goalkeeper AbdelMoneim Tamer.
Desmond Ofei’s team had a strong start to the second half and looked dangerous from corner kicks with Aaron Essel heading just over the cross bar.
Opoku Amankwah looked dangerous on his brilliant runs as Ghana searched for the equalizing goal; Aziz Issah’s powerful drive drew fine save from AbdelMoneim Tamer in the 76th minute.
Ghana held a 77.1% of possession against Egypt’s 22.9% as at the 79th minute reflecting Ghana’s dominance in the second half.
Hakim Sulemana’s free kick in the 88th minute flashed just wide of Egypt’s goal before converting from the penalty spot with virtually the last kick of the match to force the game to extra time.
Aaron Essel was harshly dismissed from the game in the 106th minute in extra time after a slight touch sent Amr “Bibo” Khaled tumbling to the turf.