In 2009, historical past was made when Ghana’s U20 workforce, the Black Satellites, received the FIFA World Cup, changing into the primary African workforce to attain this milestone.
Right this moment, October 16, 2024, marks sixteen years since Ghana defeated Brazil on penalties to safe the victory, a second that introduced immense pleasure to Ghanaians and your complete continent.
Because the inception of the World Youth Championship, later rebranded because the FIFA U20 World Cup in 1997, Nigeria had beforehand positioned second earlier than Ghana defied the percentages to clinch the title.
GhanaWeb sports activities examines how the important thing gamers from that historic workforce are faring sixteen years later.
Daniel Agyei
Daniel Agyei made essential saves throughout the event, particularly within the finals, the place his penalty saves helped the Satellites conquer Brazil. He performed for Liberty Professionals in Ghana earlier than transferring in 2013.
He has since performed for golf equipment like Simba in Tanzania, CD Cinfaes in Portugal, and Oostzaanse Soccer Membership within the Netherlands. At the moment, he’s and not using a membership.
Jonathan Mensah
Mensah was a standout defender for the U20 workforce that received the World Cup in 2009. His defensive prowess earned him a call-up to the Black Stars, the place he was a part of the workforce that completed as runner-up within the 2010 AFCON and competed within the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
He has performed for golf equipment together with Free State Stars, Udinese, Granada (mortgage), Evian, Anzhi Makhachkala, and Columbus Crew SC. The 34-year-old now performs for New England Revolution in Main League Soccer.
Inkoom was a key participant for the Black Satellites of their U20 World Cup victory in 2009, which led to his call-up to the Black Stars. Nevertheless, his profession took a downturn after he was banned for over a yr for a contract breach.
Following his ban, he performed for Vereya and Dunav Ruse. Inkoom has since retired and now runs a soccer company.
Gladson Awako
Awako began with Coronary heart of Lions within the Ghana Premier League earlier than becoming a member of Berekum Chelsea, the place he helped them win the league in 2011 and performed a key function of their CAF Champions League marketing campaign.
The 33-year-old had a short stint with Didier Drogba’s Phoenix Rising in 2017-2018 and returned to Ghana to hitch Accra Nice Olympics in 2019. He later moved to Hearts of Oak earlier than returning to Nice Olympics earlier this yr.
Daniel Addo
Previously with Ukrainian aspect FC Zorya, the 35-year-old was named in Ghana’s squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers however by no means made it to the bench.
He joined Ashgold in January 2016 however left after seven months to signal for Northern Cypriot aspect Gençlik Gücü Sport Membership. Addo has been and not using a membership since 2020.
Dominic Adiyiah
Adiyiah was the star of the U20 World Cup, scoring seven objectives in eight video games and successful each the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards. AC Milan signed him for €500,000 in late October 2009, however he did not safe a spot within the workforce and spent his time on mortgage.
Since then, he has performed for eight totally different golf equipment and is at present a free agent.
Andre Ayew
Ayew, who was the captain of the Black Satellites, earned reward for his management and efficiency, scoring in opposition to England and changing his penalty within the shootout in opposition to Brazil. The 34-year-old has had a distinguished profession, taking part in key roles within the 2010 AFCON and FIFA World Cup.
He’s Ghana’s highest-scoring participant in AFCON historical past with 9 objectives and the nation’s most-capped participant. He’s at present the captain of the Black Stars, although he has been out of the workforce in current months.
Emmanuel Agyemang Badu
Agyemang Badu was instrumental in Ghana’s U20 World Cup win, scoring the decisive penalty within the last in opposition to Brazil. He grew to become an everyday for the Black Stars and was a part of the workforce that completed as runners-up within the 2010 AFCON.
Though he missed the 2010 World Cup as a consequence of damage, he represented Ghana within the 2014 World Cup and a number of AFCON tournaments. He had a profitable membership profession with Udinese however has struggled with accidents lately. He retired from worldwide soccer in 2020 and final performed for Nice Olympics.
SB/KA
