Ghana beat Niger on penalties to claim tickets to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and the grand finale of the ongoing 2020 Wafu Zone-B U-20 Cup of Nations in Benin Tuesday afternoon.
After a barren stalemate in regulation time, the extra time also failed to produce a goal at Stade Charles de Gaulle in Porto-Novo.
The two sides had to be separated through penalty shootouts which saw Ghana win the game after scoring 5 penalties to 3 by Niger.
The Nigeriens missed their first kick with Mamane Ousmane hitting high over the bar – an effort which spelled doom for them.
Goalkeeper Wiliam Esso, who was brought on in the final minute of extra time for Danlad Ibrahim, expertly converted the first penalty kick for the Black Satellites, setting the tone for a perfect streak.
The likes of Sulemana Mohammed, Zakaria Mugeese, Precious Boah and Frank Boateng all took turns to score and ensure Ghana qualify for the U-20 Afcon in Mauritania.
Ghana are now in the finals of the Wafu-B U-20 Cup of Nations which will be played on Saturday, December 19, 2020. The Satellites await the winner of the second semifinal clash between Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.
