CAN U20 (2021): Ghana succeeds Mali

The curtains fell on the 22nd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations U20 Mauritania 2021. This final saw the Black Satellites beat their Ugandan counterparts (2-0) on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium in Nouakchott, thanks to a double by Daniel Afriyie. A fourth title for Ghana, after those of 1993, 1999 and 2009.

Ghana is the champion of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations U20 2021 after beating Uganda (2-0) in the final on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium in Nouakchott, Mauritania. Daniel Afriyie Banieh scored a double (22′, 51′) to help Ghana win its fourth title at this stadium. They had already won it in 1993, 1999 and 2009.

Uganda had had a fairy-tale run at the tournament, progressing scintillatingly, but the Junior Cranes were a shadow of their former selves against Ghana. Morley Byekwaso made a change from the team that had beaten Tunisia (4-1) in the semi-finals, with Ivan Asaba in place of Najib Yiga. His counterpart Karim Abdul Zito, on the other hand, made no change in the team that had beaten Gambia.

Derrick Kakooza almost gave Uganda the lead 3 minutes after kick-off, but his lobe attempt over the goalkeeper sailed over the crossbar. Ghana also came close to taking the early lead, but Baffour and Essiam squandered the chances. The opening came in the 22nd minute with Daniel Afriyie Barnieh (1-0). The same player was to add to the score in the 51st minute (2-0).

The Black Satellites held on to win the victory and the title. This is Uganda’s first grand final since the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations where the Junior Cranes lost to Ghana.

Results: 3rd place

Friday 5 March 2021

Gambia / Tunisia 0-0 TAB 4-2

Final

Saturday 6 March 2021

Ghana / Uganda 2-0

Awards last 10 editions

2021: Ghana

2019: Mali

2017: Zambia

2015: Nigeria

2013: Egypt

2011: Nigeria

2009: Ghana

2007: Congo

2005: Ghana

2003: Egypt

Top scorer

5 goals: Derrick Kakooza (Uganda)

3 goals: Percious Boah (Ghana)

2 goals: Daniel Afriyie (Ghana+2), Momodou Bojang (Gambia), Milla Prince (Cameroon), Etienne Pineda Eto’o (Cameroon), El Mehdi Moubarik (Morocco), Abdul Issahaku (Ghana), Steven Sserwadda (Uganda), Silly Sangharé (Mauritania), Jang Sunday (Cameroon)

1 goal : Richard Basangwa (Uganda), Adam Ben Lamin (Tunisia),Wally Fofana (Gambia), Alieu Barry (Gambia), Frank Boateng (Ghana), Mohammed Essahel (Morocco), Ayoub Mouloua (Morocco), Kajally Drammeh (Gambia), Lamarana Jallow (Gambia), Jean Botue (Burkina Faso), Alfred Gombe-Fei (Central African Republic), Raphael Marc Yapende (Central African Republic), Chiheb Labidi (Tunisia), Yahaya Abdoulaye (Cameroon), Gianluca Lorenzoni (Mozambique), Novatus Dismas (Tanzania), Marc Lamti (Tunisia), Hassan Ayari (Tunisia), Isaac Ngoma (Central African Republic), Joffrey Bazié (Burkina Faso), Éric Chardey (Burkina Faso), Pingdwinde Beleme (Burkina Faso), Oumar M’Bareck (Mauritania), Joselpho Barnes (Ghana), Flory Yangao (Central African Republic), Penouua Kandjii (Namibia)