Big Party For Satellites

Skipper Dede Ayew (L) and Samuel Inkoom The national under-20 team, the Black Satellites, who defeated all teams that crossed their path to clinch the 16th edition of the African Youth Championship in Rwanda, arrived yesterday to a rousing welcome at the Kotoka International Airport.

The vintage side touched down at the Kotoka International Airport at midday aboard a Kenyan Airways flight and was received on arrival by Kwesi Nyantakyi, GFA boss and other members of the football controlling body as well as the minister-designate for Youth and Sports, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak.

Black Satellites captain, Andre Ayew was the first to emerge, carrying the trophy ahead of his colleagues and other team officials.

After a brief interaction with the GFA boss, other members of the sports body and the minister-designate, the team was driven through some principal streets of Accra where they were welcomed by several people who were waiting to catch glimpses of the team.

Indeed, there were some merry-making as some Ghanaians waved at them.  

Andrew Dede Ayew, who plies his trade in France for Lorient later told DAILY GUIDE SPORTS that the team's success was through unity and hardwork.

“We were well prepared for the big games as the team's technical team headed by Sellas Tetteh psyched us up for the big games”.

On their chances in the September World Cup to be staged in Egypt, Dede Ayew said they would prepare feverishly in order to conquer the world as well.

On his part Samuel Inkoom, one of the most gifted defenders in the country, also thanked Ghanaians for wishing them well and supporting them in prayers as well.

He mentioned to this paper that the Satellites would go all out and impress at the junior mundial later in the year.

Ghana beat Cameroon 2-0 in Sunday's final in Kigali to win a third Africa Youth Championship title, while striker Ransford Osei left the tournament with the Golden Boot award after scoring seven goals in five matches.

By Charles Nixon Yeboah