Black Satellites fall 2-1 to Zambia in friendly as U-20 AFCON looms in Egypt

Ghana’s U-20 men’s national team, known as the Black Satellites, suffered a 2-1 defeat against Zambia’s U-20 side during a friendly match at the Tolip Gardens Sports Complex, ahead of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

The match, played behind closed doors, served as an important test for both teams as they refined their strategies for the tournament, which is set to commence on April 27 and run until May 18, 2025.

Under the leadership of head coach Desmond Ofei, the Black Satellites faced an early challenge when Zambia’s Pascal Phiri, a standout player from ZESCO United, showcased his talent with a solo effort to score in the 21st minute. Phiri’s goal highlighted his brilliance, as he skillfully navigated through Ghana’s defense to put the Junior Chipolopolo ahead 1-0.

Despite the early setback, Ghana regrouped and demonstrated resilience in the second half. In the 54th minute, Aziz Yeti Mizbawu leveled the score at 1-1, capitalizing on a well-executed play to restore hope for the Black Satellites.

However, Zambia reclaimed the lead in the final moments of the match. David Simukonda scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute, ensuring a 2-1 victory for Zambia and exposing defensive weaknesses that Coach Ofei will need to address before the tournament begins.

Zambia’s goalkeeper, Levison Banda, played a crucial role, anchoring a solid defensive unit that withstood Ghana’s late attempts to equalize.

This friendly match was an essential part of Ghana’s preparation for their Group C campaign at the U-20 AFCON, where they will face the Democratic Republic of Congo on May 2, the defending champions Senegal on May 5, and the Central African Republic on May 8, all in Suez, Egypt.

The Black Satellites are determined to reclaim the U-20 AFCON title, which they last won in 2021 under coach Abdul Karim Zito, and to secure one of the four qualification spots for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.