Osei sweeps youth awards

Ghana U-20 striker Ransford Osei swept all the major awards at the Africa Youth Championship, winning the Player of the Tournament and the Top Scorer gong.

The Israel-based forward finished as the tournament's top scorer with seven goals after scoring a brace in the final against Cameroon.

He was also named the overall best player for the competition as his scoring prowess and contribution led the Black Satellites to win the tournament.

Osei, whose twists and turns, pace, shooting ability and imposing physical presence, singled him out throughout the tournament in Rwanda.

Several other Ghana players are reported to have been named in the tournament's best 11 players.

It was fitting Osei scored both goals in the final, taking his tournament tally to seven.

Both goals were set up by Samuel Inkom, the first in the 23rd minute and the second, a simple tap-in, with just four minutes left.

The Black Satellites will now lead a charge of five African counties at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 in September, including the host nation.

They will be joined by the beaten finalists, along with the two unsuccessful semi-finalists, Nigeria and South Africa.