By Simon Asare
Accra, March 23, GNA – It was an atmosphere filled with enormous energy, with over 40,000 fans propelling Ghana’s Black Satellites to a 1-0 win over Uganda in the finals of the 13th African Games football competition.
Jerry Afriyie’s late strike was enough for Ghana to win gold in a pulsating encounter against the Ugandans, who battled it out to the end.
Ghana coach Desmond Sakyi Offei maintained the same starting lineup after the semi-final win against Senegal, with Abdul Aziz and Abdul Suleman leading the charge.
The Black Satellites started the game in blistering fashion, pressing their opponents for the first goal.
In fact, the Black Satelittes put the ball at the back of the net in the first half, but referee Hilary Hambaba adjudged an infringement by Uganda goalie Abdu Magada.
The Uganda goalkeeper was absolutely brilliant in the first half, making over two crucial saves to keep the score level at halftime.
Ghana started the second half on the front, with the home fans eagerly awaiting the first goal as they chanted every skill and trick from the Black Satelittes.
Afriyie was Ghana’s danger man. He nearly struck his side in front with a 25-yard strike, but his effort went wide to the relief of the Ugandan defense.
The Ugandan player had a glorious opportunity to finish off Ghana with less than a quarter of the game left but missed from close range.
Then came Afriyie, who stepped up in the 90th minute and struck Ghana into the lead with a ferocious strike.
Ghana held on to clinch the African Games men’s football trophy for the second time, having won it in Maputo back in 2011.
GNA