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Ghana begins World Cup glory as favourites
(Veronica Commey, GNA Special
Correspondent, Egypt, courtesy Ministry of Youth and Sports)
Ismaila, Egypt, Sept. 25, GNA – Ghana’s Black Satellites
begin their FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign against Uzbekistan
at the Ismaila Stadium on Saturday as the African champions
with credentials strong enough to mark them out among the
early favourites.
As they begin a global campaign in search of a youth title
that will be a holy grail for any African, Ghana hopes to
make a remarkable start of claiming the title that has
proven an elusive prize despite many times getting so close
and yet so far from the ultimate.
The Satellites carry a realistic hope into tomorrow’s game
judging from the pedigree of both sides and the fact that it
will be the Black Satellites’ fifth attempt at the finals
with the last time at 2001 Argentina eight years ago when
they finished runners-up to the host.
Often slow starters of the tournament, the team is expected
to dominate with players like Ransford Osei, best player at
the African Youth Championship in Rwanda and top goal scorer
anticipated to explode against an Uzbekistan side whose
qualification for Egypt 2009 is beyond an overnight success.
The African Champions will come up against a team that is a
product of hard work stretching back to 2002, when the
country began its identification of players capable of
flourishing in the future; after a prolonged period of hard
work from the coaches and the players themselves and the
rewards are beginning to come onto the international stage
and their zeal will be tested against Ghana.
The West Asians qualified for Egypt in dramatic style,
overcoming China in a penalty shoot-out in the quarter
finals of the AFC U-19 Championship, despite having
goalkeeper Doniyorjon Usmonov dismissed in the final minutes
of extra time, leaving full-back Murod Khalmukhamedov to
face a penalty-shoot-out and against Ghana, Coach Akhmad
Ubaydullaev’s hope is that heroism would once again be on
display.
However against a Ghanaian side that yearns for a brilliant
start to a group that includes England and Uruguay, the
Satellites parading players like Captian Andre Ayew,
Jonathan Mensah and Rabiu Mohammed among others will start
as the favourites.
Just joining the team this afternoon is versatile Samuel
Nkoom and even though he is expected to add another
dimension into the team’s strength, without him, the
Satellites could still be counted on.
In a unifying mood, the players reckon a good start will
come in handy as the clarion cry remains, now is the time to
make it.
GNA
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