The journey to glory in the 13th edition of the African Games has intensified as the Black Satellites of Ghana and the Diables Rouges of Congo secure coveted spots in the semi-finals of the men’s football tournament. Following a thrilling culmination of the third day of Group A matches on Friday, March 15, 2023, both teams clinched their tickets to the semi-final stage with impressive displays of skill and determination.
Ghana’s U-20 selection, buoyed by a fervent home crowd at the University of Ghana Stadium, solidified their qualification with a resolute performance against Benin. Desmond Ofei’s side, needing only a draw to progress, demonstrated their mettle with a decisive victory over their opponents.
The encounter against Benin witnessed a tense battle, with the deadlock broken in the 54th minute, securing a vital advantage that the young Ghanaians defended until the final whistle.
With a draw against Congo and two victories against Gambia and Benin, the host nation concluded their group stage campaign atop Group A with an impressive tally of 7 points.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils of Congo showcased their resilience with a hard-fought 2-1 triumph over Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Clément Massamba’s squad, initially facing adversity after conceding an early goal, demonstrated remarkable character to stage a comeback, ultimately seizing victory in regulation time.
Despite facing a deficit early in the match, the Congolese rallied admirably, restoring parity in the 61st minute before clinching victory with a late goal in the 90th minute. This triumph marked Congo’s first win of the tournament, following two draws against Ghana and Benin.
With their semi-final berths secured, both Ghana and Congo eagerly await the outcome of the Senegal-Nigeria clash to ascertain the fourth team to join them in the semi-finals, following Uganda’s earlier qualification at the end of the second day of fixtures.
As anticipation mounts and the competition reaches fever pitch, football enthusiasts worldwide eagerly anticipate the exhilarating clashes that lie ahead in the quest for African Games glory.
