Ghana national under-20 football team
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| Nickname(s) | The Black Satellites | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Ghana Football Association | ||
| Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||
| Sub-confederation | WAFU (West Africa) | ||
| Head coach | Abdul-Karim Zito | ||
| FIFA code | GHA | ||
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| 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) | |||
| FIFA U-20 World Cup | |||
| Appearances | 7 (first in 1993) | ||
| Best result | Champions 2009, Runner-up, 1993, 2001 | ||
| African Youth Championship | |||
| Appearances | 10 (first in  1991) | ||
| Best result |  Winners, 1993, 1999, 2009, 2021 | ||
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| FIFA U-20 World Cup | ||
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1993 Australia | Team |
|
2001 Argentina | Team |
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2009 Egypt | Team |
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2013 Turkey | Team |
Ghana national U-20 football team known as the Black Satellites, is considered to be the feeder team for the Ghana national football team. They are the former FIFA U-20 World Cup Champions and African Youth Champions. They have also been a four-time African Champion in 1995, 1999, 2009, 2021 and a two-time Runner-up at the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1993, 2001 and finished third in 2013. Ghana has participated in only six of the past 19 World Cup events starting with their first in Australia 1993 where they lost the World Cup final 1-2 to Brazil in Sydney and in Argentina 2001 where they lost the World Cup final 0-3 to Argentina in Buenos Aires. Incredibly, in 32 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.
They won the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt after defeating Brazil 4-3 on Penalties when the match ended (0-0) after extra time. This was the first time an African country won the FIFA U-20 World Cup Championship.
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. 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.
Competitive Record[]
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 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 2009 |
Champions | 7 | 5 | 2* | 0 | 16 | 8 | +8 |
| 2011 |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 2013 |
Third Place | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 12 | +4 |
 2015 |
Round of 16 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 |
 2017 |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 2019 |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 2021 |
Cancelled | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Total | 7/23 | 43 | 26 | 9 | 8 | 76 | 47 | +29 |
- Silver background color indicates second-place finish at the World Cup.
- Gold background color indicates winners at the World Cup.
*Denote draws including the 2009 Final match decided on penalty kicks v Brazil 4-3p when the match ended (0-0) After Extra Time, and the 1999 Quarter-Final match decided on penalty kicks v Spain (7-8p).
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FIFA U20 World Cup Record by team
*Denote draws including the 2009 Final match decided on penalty kicks v Brazil 4-3p when the match ended (0-0) After Extra Time, and the 1999 Quarter-Final match decided on penalty kicks v Spain (7-8p). |
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Team honours and awards[]
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Current squad[]
Head coach: Abdul-Karim Zito
as of February 2021 for 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations [4]
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | 9 May 2002 (aged 18) | Vision
| |
| 2 | DF | Philomon Baffour | 6 February 2001 (aged 20) | Dreams
|
| 3 | DF | 30 November 2001 (aged 19) | Vision
| |
| 4 | DF | 21 August 2002 (aged 18) |
| |
| 5 | DF | Frank Assinki | 15 April 2002 (aged 18) |  HB Køge
|
| 6 | MF | 19 December 2003 (aged 17) | Berekum Chelsea
| |
| 7 | FW | Mathew Anim Cudjoe | 11 November 2003 (aged 17) | Legon Cities
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| 8 | MF | Sampson Agyapong | 1 September 2002 (aged 18) | WAFA
|
| 9 | FW | Percious Boah | 23 October 2002 (aged 18) | Dreams
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| 10 | FW | Daniel Afriyie | 26 June 2001 (aged 19) | Accra Hearts of Oak
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| 11 | FW | Mohammed Sulemana | 13 December 2002 (aged 18) | Dreams
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| 12 | GK | 24 July 2002 (aged 18) |
| |
| 13 | MF | 4 October 2001 (aged 19) | Heart of Lions
| |
| 14 | DF | Ivan Anokye Mensah | 22 April 2004 (aged 16) |
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| 15 | DF | McCarthy Ofori | 3 May 2005 (aged 15) | Techiman Eleven Wonders
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| 16 | GK | 11 January 2001 (aged 20) | Accra Lions
| |
| 17 | MF | Eric Appiah | 8 May 2001 (aged 19) |  Club Brugge
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| 18 | FW | Abdul Mugees Zakaria | 27 December 2001 (aged 19) | Techiman Eleven Wonders
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| 19 | FW | 26 May 2003 (aged 17) | Heart of Lions
| |
| 20 | FW | Prince Kwabena Adu | 23 September 2003 (aged 17) | Bechem United
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| 21 | GK | Ibrahim Danlad | 2 December 2002 (aged 18) | Asante Kotoko
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| 22 | MF | Abdul Fatawu Issahaku | 8 March 2004 (aged 16) | Steadfast FC
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| 23 | DF | Samuel Abbey-Ashie Quaye | 14 April 2001 (aged 19) | Accra Great Olympics
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| 24 | FW | 16 November 2002 (aged 18) |
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| 25 | FW | 13 January 2003 (aged 18) |
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| 26 | DF | 29 March 2002 (aged 18) |
| |
| 27 | DF | 12 December 2001 (aged 19) |  Schalke 04
| |
| 28 | MF | David Acquah | 4 April 2001 (aged 19) |  Maccabi Haifa
|
| 29 | MF | Nana Kobina Osoh | 15 September 2001 (aged 19) | Techiman Eleven Wonders
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| 30 | FW | 20 October 2003 (aged 17) |
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Previous squads[]
- 2015 FIFA under-20 World Cup (squads) – Ghana
- 2009 FIFA under-20 World Cup (squads) – Ghana
- 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
Notable players[]
The following list consist of previous Ghana U-20 national team players who have won or were influential at the FIFA U-20 World Cup with the Ghana U-20 national team or the FIFA U-17 World Cup with the Ghana U-17 national team, and those who were part of the Ghana U-23 national team that won the Bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics. The list also includes the players who have graduated from the Ghana U-20 national team and gone on to represent the senior Ghana national team at the FIFA World Cup or African Cup of Nations:
- Clifford Aboagye (2013)
- Dominic Adiyiah (2009)
- Nii Lamptey (1993)
- André Ayew (2009)
- Daniel Addo (1993)
- Samuel Kuffour (1993)
- Augustine Ahinful (1993)
- Charles Akonnor (1993)
- Emmanuel Duah (1993)
- Isaac Asare (1993)
- Mohammed Gargo (1993)
- Christian Gyan (1997)
- Awudu Issaka (1997)
- Kofi Amponsah (1997)
- Stephen Appiah (1997, 1999)
- Peter Ofori Quaye (1997, 1999)
- Patrick Allotey (1997)
- Baffour Gyan (1999)
- Laryea Kingston (1999)
- George Blay (1999)
- Owusu Afriyie (1999)
- Michael Essien (2001)
- Sulley Muntari (2001)
- Anthony Obodai (2001)
- John Mensah (2001)
- John Paintsil (2001)
- Derek Boateng (2001)
- Emmanuel Pappoe (2001)
- Razak Pimpong (2001)
- George Owu (2001)
Notable coaches[]
| FIFA Tourney | Manager name |
|---|---|
| 2013 |
Sellas Tetteh
|
| 2009 |
Sellas Tetteh
|
| 2001 |
Emmanuel Akwasi Afranie
|
| 1999 |
 Giuseppe Dossena
|
| 1997 |
Francis Oti Akenteng
|
| 1993 |
Fred Osam-Duodu
|
2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup World Cup Winner Squad[]
Ghana[]
Head coach: Sellas Tetteh
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Daniel Adjei | 10 November 1989 (aged 19) | Liberty
| ||
| 2 | DF | Samuel Inkoom | 1 June 1989 (aged 20) |  Basel
| ||
| 3 | MF | Gladson Awako | 31 December 1990 (aged 18) | Heart of Lions
| ||
| 4 | DF | Jonathan Mensah | 13 July 1990 (aged 19) |  Free State Stars
| ||
| 5 | DF | Daniel Addo | 3 September 1989 (aged 20) | King Faisal
| ||
| 6 | DF | David Addy | 21 February 1990 (aged 19) | FC Porto
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| 7 | MF | Abeiku Quansah | 2 November 1990 (aged 18) |  Nice
| ||
| 8 | MF | Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu | 2 December 1990 (aged 18) | Asante Kotoko
| ||
| 9 | MF | Opoku Agyemang | 7 June 1989 (aged 20) | Al-Sadd
| ||
| 10 | MF | André Ayew (c) | 17 December 1989 (aged 19) | Marseille
| ||
| 11 | FW | Latif Salifu | 1 August 1990 (aged 19) | Liberty
| ||
| 12 | DF | Ghandi Dassenu | 9 August 1989 (aged 20) | Liberty
| ||
| 13 | MF | Mohammed Rabiu | 31 December 1989 (aged 19) | Liberty
| ||
| 14 | DF | Daniel Opare | 18 October 1990 (aged 18) |  Real Madrid
| ||
| 15 | DF | Philip Boampong | 1 January 1990 (aged 19) | Arsenal
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| 16 | GK | Robert Dabuo | 10 November 1990 (aged 18) | Wa All Stars
| ||
| 17 | DF | John Benson | 27 August 1991 (aged 18) | ASPIRE
| ||
| 18 | FW | Ransford Osei | 5 December 1990 (aged 18) | Medeama
| ||
| 19 | DF | Bright Addae | 19 December 1992 (aged 16) | Wa All Stars
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| 20 | FW | Dominic Adiyiah | 29 November 1989 (aged 19) |  Fredrikstad FK
| ||
| 21 | GK | Joseph Addo | 2 November 1990 (aged 18) | Sekondi Hasaacas
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See also[]
Footnotes[]
- ^ "Australia 1993: Brazil make it three". fifa.com. 1 September 2001. Archived from the original on 27 June 2007. Retrieved 2001-09-01.
- ^ "Superb Young Players". fifa.com. 1 September 2001. Archived from the original on 8 June 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2001.
- ^ "Ghana: talented players as far as the eye can see". fifa.com. 17 September 2004. Archived from the original on 27 October 2004. Retrieved 2004-09-17.
- ^ "Ghana team list" (PDF). Confederation of African Football. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
External links[]
- 2007 Toulon Tournament Squad
- Ghana Football Association – Official website
- 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
Ghana Football Association | |||||
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- Ghana national football team
- African national under-20 association football teams