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07.08.2018 Sports News

Black Satellites Midfielder Samuel Mensah Expects Tough Battle Against Benin In Cotonou

By ghanasoccernet.com
Black Satellites Midfielder Samuel Mensah Expects Tough Battle Against Benin In Cotonou
07.08.2018 LISTEN

Black Satellites midfielder Samuel Atta Mensah is envisaging a stern battle against Benin in the return encounter of the 2019 Africa Youth Championship.

The Ghana U20 side are set to face the Young Squirrels in a third round second leg fixture, having recorded a 3-1 win over their opponents in the first leg encounter at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium last Sunday.

"They [Benin] are strong, tough and quick,' Wa All Stars midfielder Atta Mensah told Kickgh.com

'We have to use our heads and try to keep the ball in the next encounter."

"They wouldn't like it when we dictate the pace [and that was seen] in the second half of the first leg.

"They prefer to play a physical game and attack using the flanks, so the key for us will be to stay patient, defend the ball at our feet and not to be sucked into the kind of game they want to play.

"I strongly believe we will edge past them and qualify for the African championship.'

Ghana dispatched Algeria 2-0 on aggregate to make the third and final round, having drawn a bye in the first phase.

After gaining automatic passage to the second round of qualifying following the withdrawal of Liberia, Benin, on the other hand, edged Gambia 3-2 on aggregate to make the third phase.

The winners over both legs join seven already qualified teams for the final tournament to be hosted by Niger.

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