GHANA DEGEATS CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC TO TOP GROUP C AT 2025 U-20 AFCON

Ghana’s U-20 national team, the Black Satellites, secured a narrow 1-0 win against the Central African Republic (CAR) on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the Suez Canal Stadium in Egypt. The victory saw Ghana finish unbeaten at the top of Group C in the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and advance confidently to the quarter-finals.

The match remained goalless until the 84th minute when substitute Joseph Opoku netted the decisive goal. The breakthrough came from a swift counterattack initiated by Joseph Aidoo, who set up Opoku to calmly slot the ball past the CAR goalkeeper.

Ghana dominated much of the game, creating several chances through the efforts of Aziz Issah and Andrews Adjabeng. Despite this, resolute defending by CAR kept the score level for most of the match until Opoku’s late winner.

The win capped off a strong group stage performance for Ghana, who finished with seven points following a 1-0 win over Senegal and a 1-1 draw with DR Congo. Senegal also progressed to the next round after defeating DR Congo 2-0. CAR, on the other hand, exited the tournament with just one point, a step back from their quarter-final finish in 2021.

Head coach Desmond Ofei commended his team’s discipline and maturity, stating, “This result reflects our tactical patience and the boys’ commitment. We’re ready to face the knockout rounds with belief.”

This marks Ghana’s first unbeaten group stage performance at the U-20 AFCON since 2013, as they chase a record fifth title in the competition. The complete quarter-final lineup will be finalized after the remaining group matches on Friday.