Ghana national under-20 football team
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nickname(s) | The Black Satellites | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Ghana Football Association | ||
| Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||
| Head coach |  Sellas Tetteh |
||
| Captain | Andre Ayew | ||
| FIFA code | GHA | ||
|
|||
| First international | |||
 Gambia 1 - 0 Ghana(Banjul, Gambia; 9 September 1984) |
|||
| Biggest win | |||
Ghana 6 - 0  Mali(Accra, Ghana; 11 November 1990) |
|||
| Biggest defeat | |||
 Algeria 3 - 0 Ghana(Algiers, Algeria; 27 August 1988)  Colombia 4 - 1 Ghana(Le Pontet, France; 29 May 2000)  Argentina 3 - 0 Ghana(Buenos Aires, Argentina; 8 July 2001) |
|||
| African Youth Championship | |||
| Appearances | 7 (First in 1991) | ||
| Best result | Winners, 1993, 1999, 2009 | ||
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| FIFA U-20 World Cup | ||
| Silver | 1993 Australia | Team |
| Silver | 2001 Argentina | Team |
Ghana national U-20 football team known as the Black Satellites, the current African Youth Champions, have been a three-time African Champion in 1995, 1999, 2009 and a two-time Runner-up at the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1993 and 2001. Ghana has participated in only four of the past 16 World Cup events starting with their first in Australia 1993 where they lost the World Cup final 1-2 to Brazil in Sydney and their most recent in Argentina 2001 where they lost the World Cup final 0-3 to Argentina in Buenos Aires. Incredibly, in 25 FIFA World Cup matches, Ghana has not lost a game in regulation below the Semi Final level of the FIFA U20 World Cup.
They however failed to qualify for 3 consecutive events in UAE 2003, Netherlands 2005 and Canada 2007 until they made the Egypt 2009 Tournament.
Contents |
[edit] Superb young players
The Black Satellites reached the FIFA U-20 World Cup final in their 1st appearance in Australia 1993 (Australia 1993 U-20 html Stats here), catching many teams on the hop with their lightning changes of pace. In fact, nine of the 22 players in the "Black Satellites'" squad had lifted the FIFA U-17 World Championship two years earlier, so their performance could only really be considered a half-surprise. Still they were a joy to watch: enterprising and unpredictable[1]. They repeated the feat in 2001 succumbing to Tournament Hosts Argentina in the Final. Previously in 1997, they had lost 3-2 on a golden goal to Uruguay in Extra Time of the World Cup Semi Final. In 1999 eventual Champions Spain eliminated Ghana in the Quarter Final on sudden death penalty kicks after a 1-1 tied game.
What makes Ghana's footballers so dominant in their age group? FIFA Magazine[2] asked Otto Pfister. Football is not simply the most popular sport in this part of Africa, it is an absolute religion, he said. This is the way the game is regarded in Ghana, but it is the same in Nigeria too - they also won the U-17 title twice. Young boys here think about football 24 hours a day and play for at least eight - whether on clay, rough fields or dusty streets. They develop their skills naturally, without any specific training, and end up with superb technique and ability on the ball. They are also fast and tricky, and can feint well with their bodies. Africa and South America have by far the best young footballers in the world - on a technical level they are superb. And technique is what it takes to make a good player.
What else goes towards making Ghana so strong? Otto Pfister continues; In Africa there is often only one way for many young lads to escape from poverty and to make their way up the social scale - football. Youngsters want to become stars and to play in a top European league. That is their main aim and they will do anything to achieve it. Let me give you an example: While I was coaching in Ghana I once told my team to be ready for training at three o'clock in the morning. At half past two they were all assembled and ready to go. They want to learn and they want to play for the national team. They know that in their country a national team player is a hero and enjoys a level of prestige that is not comparable to that in Europe. Another positive point for young players in Ghana is that there are many good coaches in the country who help develop the available talent and above all want to let them play. This policy pays off.[3]. Today, many Ghanaian youngsters are in G14 Club Academies in Europe.
[edit] Competitive Record
[edit] FIFA World Youth Championship Record
| Year | Round | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 1977 |
Did not participate | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 1979 |
Did not participate | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 1981 |
Did not participate | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 1983 |
Withdrew | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 1985 |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 1987 |
Disqualified | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 1989 |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 1991 |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 1993 |
Runners-up | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 6 | +5 |
 1995 |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 1997 |
Semi finals | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 8 | +4 |
 1999 |
Quarter finals | 5 | 3 | 2* | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 |
| 2001 |
Runners-up | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 |
 2003 |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 2005 |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 2007 |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Total | 4/16 | 25 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 39 | 21 | +18 |
- Silver background color indicates second place finish at the World Cup.
*Denote draws including the 1999 Quarter-Final match decided on penalty kicks v Spain (7-8p).
- FIFA U20 World Cup Record
| FIFA U20 World Cup Record | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Cup Finals | 25 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 39 | 21 | +18 |
| Africa U20 Quals | 62 | 38 | 13 | 11 | 92 | 41 | +51 |
| U20 Total | 87 | 53 | 19 | 15 | 131 | 62 | +69 |
FIFA U20 World Cup Record by team
| Ghana versus | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD | Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brazil |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 50% |
| Argentina |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 50% |
 Republic of Ireland |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 50% |
 Uruguay |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 25% |
| Portugal |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100% |
 Russia |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100% |
 England |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 100% |
| Chile |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
 United States |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100% |
| United Arab Emirates |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100% |
 Germany |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 50% |
| Japan |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 100% |
 Croatia |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
 Kazakhstan |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100% |
 Costa Rica |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 100% |
 Spain |
1 | 0 | 1* | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
 Paraguay |
1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 100% |
 Iran |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100% |
 France |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50% |
 Ecuador |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100% |
 Egypt |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100% |
| Total | 25 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 39 | 21 | +18 | 72.00% |
*Denotes draws including the 1999 Quarter-Final match
decided on penalty kicks v Spain (7-8p).
[edit] Team honours
- FIFA World Youth Championship runners-up: 2
-
- 1993, 1999, 2009
- African Youth Championship runners-up: 1
-
- 2001
[edit] Current squad
Head coach: Sellas Tetteh Appointed on 12 August 2008
| Most Recent Squad | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date announced | 1 February 2009 [1] | |
| Game(s) |  Cameroon, 1 February |
|
| Venue(s) | Stade Amahoro, Kigali, Rwanda | |
| Competition | African Youth Championship | |
- Goalkeepers
| Name | DOB | Club | Caps (goals) | Debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Dabuo | September 10, 1990 | All Stars F.C. |
||
| Joseph Addo | November 2, 1990 | Sekondi Hasaacas F.C. |
||
| Baba Sampana | December 14, 1990 | Eleven Wise |
- Defenders
| Name | DOB | Club | Caps (goals) | Debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Aticah | - | Bechem Chelsea |
||
| Daniel Addo | September 18, 1987 |  Gençlerbirliği S.K. |
||
| Godfred Rockson | Heart of Lions |
|||
| Gafaru Nashiru | All Stars F.C. |
|||
| Philip Boampong | January 1, 1990 | All Stars F.C. |
||
| Samuel Inkoom | January 22, 1989 | Asante Kotoko |
||
| Isaac Annan | Birim Stars |
|||
| David Addy | February 21, 1990 |  Randers FC |
||
| Jonathan Mensah | July 13, 1990 |  Free State Stars |
- Midfielders
| Name | DOB | Club | Caps (goals) | Debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Damalie | - | Bechem Chelsea |
||
| Isaac Paintsil | - | Berekum Berlin F.C. |
||
| Eric Opoku | Accra Hearts of Oak SC |
|||
| Khalif Alhassan | Liberty Professionals F.C. |
|||
| Amponsah Blankson | Eagle Giant |
|||
| Hans Kwofie | Heart of Lions |
|||
| Abdul Naza Alhassan | June 18, 1990 | Shonan Bellmare |
||
| Enoch Kofi Adu | September 14, 1990 | OGC Nice |
||
| Mohammed Rabiu | December 31, 1989 | Xerez CD |
- Strikers
| Name | DOB | Club | Caps (goals) | Debut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sadick Adams | January 1, 1990 | Atletico Madrid |
||
| Emmanuel Badu Agyeman | February 12, 1990 | Berekum Arsenal |
||
| Ebo Andoh | Accra Hearts of Oak SC |
|||
| Latif Salifu | Liberty Professionals F.C. |
|||
| Francis Boadi | November 23, 1991 | Great Olympics |
||
| Ben Acheampong | All Blacks F.C. |
|||
| Ishmael Yartei | January 11, 1990 | S.L. Benfica on loan from All Blacks F.C. |
||
| Daniel Larbie Coomson | Zaytuna F.C. |
|||
| Ganiu Yahaya | Real Tamale United |
|||
| Ransford Osei | December 5, 1990 |  Maccabi Haifa F.C. |
||
| Abeiku Quansah | November 2, 1990 | OGC Nice |
||
| André Ayew | December 17, 1989 | FC Lorient on loan from Olympique de Marseille |
[edit] Recent callups
The following players have also been called up to the Ghana squad recently:
| Name | DOB | Club | Caps (goals) | Debut | Most recent callup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DF Daniel Opare | October 18, 1990 | Real Madrid |
0 (0) | N/A | |
| DF Gladson Awako | Heart of Lions |
||||
| MF Abdulai Gafaru | Real Tamale United |
||||
| DF Wakaso Mubarak | July 25, 1990 | Elche CF |
0 (0) | N/A | |
| FW Bernard Kofi Sekyi | Unknwon |
||||
| MF Ekow Benson | April 23, 1989 | Accra Hearts of Oak SC |
0 (0) |
[edit] Players called up to the national camp
Abraham Hoenyedzi (Ken Harrison Babies), David Dadzie (Nungua United), Philip Adu (Maxbees FC), Charles Enterm (Nungua United), Ali Ibrahim (Ali Jaraa Academy), Stephen Owusu Ansah (Ashanti-Gold), Paul Addo (Fairpoint FC), Samuel Ayisi (Seven United), Eric Opoku (Corners Babies), Pero Gwalla (Catholic Stars), Moses Otiboe (International Allies), Aminu Ishmael (Wa All Stars), Enoch Ebo Andoh (Corner Babies), Omar Nuhu Bello (Bofoakwa Tano), William Owusu (Sporting Lisbon) and Alhassan Meisuna, Emmanuel Burkason (Kessben FC), Ben Owusu (Berekum Arsenals), Suraju Ibrahim (Wa All Stars), Adu Kofi (Corners Babies), Sulley Issaka (Chicago Babies), Nathaniel Asamoah (Subway FC), Imoro Adams (Semeraka FC), Eric Mensah (Nikwab Professionals) and Kelvin Owusu Bossman (Reading FC), David Addotey (Jen FC), Nana Yaw Sarfo (AshGold Stars), Abraham Fuseini (Wa All Stars), Francis Nanabayin (Todd Babies), Kwadwo Amofa (Staling Academy). [2]
[edit] Previous squads
- 2001 FIFA under-20 World Cup (squads) - Ghana
- 1999 FIFA under-20 World Cup (squads) - Ghana
- 1997 FIFA under-20 World Cup (squads) - Ghana
- 1993 FIFA under-20 World Cup (squads) - Ghana
[edit] Famous Players
|
|
|
[edit] Players with Ghanaian roots
[edit] Famous Coaches
|
[edit] Former (2007) U-20 squad
Squad for the Toulon Youth Festival in France from May 31 - 9 June 2007.
- GK 1 Patrick Antwi - Liberty Professionals
- GK 16 Isaac Ackon - Gamba All Blacks
- DF 2 John Boye - Heart of Lions
- DF 4 Louis Quainoo - Tema Youth
- DF 5 Hannan Giwah - Real Tamale United
- DF 6 Samuel Enzemoba - Real Sportive
- DF 7 Solomon Addy - Ashanti Gold
- MF 8 Mubarak Wakaso - Elche CF
- MF 11 Alhaji Sani - Ashanti Gold
- MF 14 Issah Awal - Real Sportive
- MF 15 Yahaya Mohamed - Tema Youth
- MF 17 Samed Oppong - King Faisal Babes
- MF 18 Yahaya Seidu -
PAOK FC - MF 19 Yaw Frimpong - Feyenoord Academy Ghana
- FW 3 Felix Baffoe - Liberty Professionals
- FW 10 Eric Bekoe (Captain) - Asante Kotoko
- FW 9 Emmanuel Clottey - Odense Boldklub
- LWF 12 Douglas Nkrumah - Asante Kotoko
- RWF 13 Ekow Benson - Hearts of Oak
- FW 20 Bradley Hudson-Odoi - Hereford United F.C.
This team was eliminated 4-3 on penalty kicks by Burkina Faso after a 1-1 aggregate tie in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup African Qualifiers on 22 October 2006.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- 2007 Toulon Tournament Squad
- Ghana Football Association - Official website
- Ghana Football Forum - Official Fan Forum
- Ghana Premier League website
- Ghanaweb Sports Page
- RSSSF Archive of all FIFA U20 Matches
- RSSSF Archive of all African U20 Matches
- 2009 African U20 Final Highlights
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ "Australia 1993: Brazil make it three". fifa.com. 2001-09-01. http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=104/edition=191252/overview.html. Retrieved on 2001-09-01.
- ^ ""Superb Young Players"". fifa.com. 2001-09-01. http://www.fifa.com/en/development/technical/index/0,1250,9630,00.html?articleid=9630. Retrieved on 2001-09-01.
- ^ ""Ghana: talented players as far as the eye can see"". fifa.com. 2004-09-17. http://www.fifa.com/en/organisation/index/0,1521,9581,00.html?articleid=9581. Retrieved on 2004-09-17.
[edit] Titles
| Preceded by 1991 Egypt |
African Champions 1993 (First title) |
Succeeded by 1995 Cameroon |
| Preceded by 1997 Morocco  |
African Champions 1999 (Second title) |
Succeeded by 2001 Angola  |
| Preceded by 2007 Congo  |
African Champions 2009 (Third title) |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
