Satellites Qualify For AYC

Mahatma Otoo

Ghana will be defending the African Youth Championship title next year after the Black Satellites booked their place in the finals with a 4-1 home win against Benin.

The Black Satellites thus complete the reverse game of the final round of qualifying with a 6-1 aggregate after winning the first leg 2-0.

Three quick first half goals with Genoa's Richmond Boakye-Yiadom grabbing a brace and a Jordan Ayew debut goal for Ghana and the U-20 team from the spot handed the home team a commanding lead going into the break.

Black Satellites coach Orlando Wellington made two changes in the second half, first bringing on debutant Salifu Amidu for Jordan Ayew and later Osei Pele for captain Mahatma Otoo.

Benin pulled one back before substitute Pele scored late on in the game.

Ghana will enter the 2011 African Youth Championship in Libya as the defending champions after lifting the trophy in Rwanda in last year.

Line up: Akwasi Acheampong, Francis Morton, Richmond Nketiah, Karim Alhassan, Bright Addae, Richmond Acheampong, Ebo Andoh, Richmond Boakye-Yiadom, Afriyie Acquah, Mahatma Otoo/Osei Pele, Jordan Ayew/Salifu Amidu

Foli Adadey, Frank Acheampong, Amid Saeed, Edwin Osei Pele, Nurudeen Yusif, Salifu Amidu.

Source: Ghanafa.org