Ghana announced their presence at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations with a statement win on Sunday, edging past defending champions Senegal 1-0 in a tense Group C showdown.
A single moment of brilliance separated the two sides, with Emmanuel Mensah’s delicate finish proving decisive as the Black Satellites reignited their tournament hopes.
Ghana came out of the gates with intent. Midfield dynamo Aziz Issah nearly broke the deadlock early on, his shot taking a wicked deflection before spinning wide for a corner. It was a warning shot and proof that Desmond Ofei’s side had come to play.
Senegal, however, were quick to respond.
Yaya Dieme tested goalkeeper Gidios Aseako in the fifth minute, and the Ghanaian number one would go on to be a recurring thorn in Senegal’s side.
Aseako was alert again to punch away a dangerous free kick minutes later, keeping Ghana in the game during a spell of heavy pressure.
Then, against the run of play, Ghana struck gold.
Jerry Afriyie, given a rare start, made it count. With vision and poise, he sliced through Senegal’s backline before laying off a sublime pass to Emmanuel Mensah, who calmly chipped the goalkeeper to put Ghana ahead with their only shot on target in the first half.
Afriyie nearly turned goalscorer moments later, but the Senegal keeper raced off his line to smother the chance. Still, Ghana held firm and took a crucial 1-0 lead into halftime.
Senegal came back swinging in the second half, but Aseako remained unbeatable.
His command of the box and sharp reflexes denied the West African giants time and again.
Even as Joseph Opoku tried to put the game beyond reach, his effort was easily collected by the Senegalese shot-stopper.
With time running out, Senegal threw everything forward, but Aseako stood tall, picking up a yellow card for time-wasting, yet refusing to be rattled.
As the final whistle blew, Ghana celebrated a hard-earned win that not only toppled the reigning champions but also lifted them to joint-top of Group C.
With one group game left against the Central African Republic, the Black Satellites are back in control of their own destiny.
