The Black Satellites of Ghana were kicked out of the ongoing 2019 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations after a 1-0 defeat to Mali Saturday afternoon.
Hadji Drame scored the game’s only goal at Stade Général Seyni Kountché in Niamey.
Jimmy Cobblah’s charges only needed a draw to gain qualification to the semi-finals and a place at the Fifa U-20 World Cup to be staged at Poland in May.
But the Satellites failed to glitter as they put up an abysmal performance on the day. They looked poor and could barely put three strings of passes together before they lose possession.
Mali, on the other hand, looked determined, dominating the first half with some aggressive and purposeful display.
After a goalless first half, the Malians returned hungrier in the early stages of the second half and on the 53rd minute, opened the scoring through Hadji Drame. From an acute angle, the attacker managed to lob the ball over Ghana goalkeeper to the far corner after receiving the ball from a throw-in.
Knowing that they were closer to getting all three points, Mali coach Mamoutou Kané introduced more defensive minded players to protect his 1-0 lead.
The Satellites tried to find themselves back into the game but their efforts rather looked bizarre, not playing to any particular pattern or tactics.
The Malians fought hard to hold on to the goal to secure the all-important victory.
Mali thus pick the final World Cup ticket as they advance to face Nigeria in the first semifinal game on Wednesday, February 13. Senegal, who also walloped Burkina Faso 5-1 to cement their top place in Group B, also take on South Africa for a ticket to the grand finale scheduled to come off February 17.
Africa will be represented at the Poland U-20 World Cup by Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa.
By Daniel Osei
