Ghana sealed qualification to the 2019 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations topping Benin 4-2 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in Cotonou on Sunday.
The Black Satellites, who began the game with a 3-1 first leg advantage, bossed their hosts in the opening half of the final eliminator at Stade René Pleven.
But the Junior Squirrels turned the game on Ghana after the break with the introduction of Wafu Cup star Charbel Gomez who missed the first leg through injury.
Odo Chabi Bio deservedly shot Benin in the lead on 57 minutes.
Benin pushed further for more goals and when it looked like the Ghanaians were cracking under pressure, midfielder Prosper Ahiabu delivered them a sucker punch, netting the equalizer five minutes from time.
The goal deflated Benin’s hopes of qualification with Ghana holding on to take the final ticket to Niger 2019.
Ghana, who missed the last edition, now complete the roster of eight teams to compete at the U-20 Afcon. They join hosts Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Burundi, Mali, South Africa and Senegal for the tournament slated for February 24 to March 10, 2019.
The 2009 World Cup winners will have an opportunity to get back to the world stage by placing among the last four of the African championships.
Ghana XI vs Benin:
Manaf Nurudeen – Issahaku Konda, Anderson Maryonu, Fatawu Hamidu, Jude Arthur – Prosper Ahiabu, Andrian Adjetey, Emmanuel Kumah, Elvis Keyi Baffour/81’ Sulley Ibrahim, Enock Atta Agyei/90′ Ibrahim Issah, Richard Danso
