The Black Satellites of Ghana come face to face with the Young Eagles of Mali, in a grueling encounter in search of a semi-final berth at the ongoing Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Youth Championship on Saturday, at the Stade General Seyni Kountche in Niger.
With both teams on three points each and Senegal securing the top spot, a victory to either side would be a big relief, as the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Under-20 World Cup in Poland looms, with a sole ticket remaining for grasp from Group B.
Coach for Jimmy Cobblah and his team find themselves in a difficult situation, as there is some sort of desperation to make amends from their 2:0 defeat to Senegal, which has left them gnashing at their teeth in anticipation for going past the group stages of the 21st edition of the AYC.
Both teams are expected to come out from their blocks to unsettle the opponent, but most importantly, the Satellites backline must avoid petty mistakes, that can cause their downfall as coach Cobblah has noted in their first encounter.
Coach Cobblah, who noted that, qualification to the world stage was paramount to his team, is expected to condition the boys, whilst keeping faith with Daniel Lomotey, Isahaku Konda and Mohamed Kudus to give out their all, if there is the hope of emulating the feat chalked by the 2009 squad that defeated Africa and the World.
Mali, who need a win to qualify, unlike Ghana needing just a draw is also expected to throw everything at the Satellites, as they would look to expose the weaknesses of the Ghana backline to get a favourable results.
From the strenghts of the two teams, the game looks open as any of them could carry the day, but the Satellites, must not fail having a rich history behind them.
