The Black Satellites’ hope of qualifying for the 2025 U20 World Cup crashed after losing to Egypt on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team excelled at the group stage, recording two wins and one draw, accumulating seven points to qualify but individual mistakes cost them against Egypt in the quarter-finals.
Despite the disappointment, there were some players who dazzled while others could not live up to expectations.
This article throws light on some key takeaways from the Black Satellites’ U20 AFCON tournament.
Abdul Aziz Issah
Barcelona athletic winger Abdul Aziz Issah was among the outstanding players who stood out in terms of performance for the team.
The player was adjudged Man of the Match in Ghana’s 1-0 win over the Central African Republic (CAR) after a fantastic display in distributing the ball and making positive incursions.
The former Dreams FC player also scored a long-range strike to lead the comeback against Egypt but unfortunately lost on penalty shootout.
Abdul Hakim Sulemana
Rangers FC player Abdul Hakim Sulemana was instrumental in the team’s performances at the tournament, playing most of the games with control and agility to win possessions.
The young brother of Black Stars attacker Kamaldeen Sulemana won two Man of the Match awards during the competition, despite starting two matches from the bench.
His penalty goal helped to take the game to penalties against Egypt.
Lord Afrifa
Sturm Graz midfielder Lord Afrifa masterminded the midfield, dictating the pace of the game.
He had the ability to take on players and lay brilliant passes to feed the attackers.
He played a crucial role in Aziz Issah’s goal against Egypt by providing him with an impeccable pass.
Michael Amer
Michael Amer, the son of business mogul Ibrahim Mahama, made his first appearance for the Black Satellites in their 1-0 win over the Central African Republic (CAR) in the U-20 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on May 8, 2025.
The left-footed attacker was introduced into the game in the 91st minute, replacing midfielder Abdul Aziz Issah, who had been instrumental in the game and was adjudged Man of the Match.
Amer, who wears the number 2 jersey, was left out of the squad for the first game against the Democratic Republic of Congo and was an unused substitute in the second match against Senegal as well as Egypt.
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