Satellites reach final

The Malians got the first chance at goal as Adama Niane beat the defenders and goalkeeper Ofori but could not direct his header on target. The Ghanaians found their usual flowing football restricted and the space in midfield denied as Mali dominated the early exchanges.

In the 24th minute Samba unleashed his trademark drive from outside the penalty box but  Ofori parried the ball to corner  away  from which Ousmane Keita headed just wide. Mali went close again when Adama Mariko headed into the goalkeeper’s arms after some exchanges involving Hamidou Traore, Samba and Niane had carved open the Ghanaian defence.

The Ghanaian rear guard worked overtime and was grateful for captain Lawrence Lartey’s quick mind and feet that came to the rescue several times. But on the half hour mark, Ghana’s top goal scorer, Ebenezer Assifuah, who had been kept pretty quiet by the Malians, escaped from Boubacar Diarra’s attention at the back post only to see his header saved by Malian goalie Ali Yirangio.

After recess, it was the Eaglets who had he first sniff of goal again with Issaka Samake’s free kick from the left flank missing the target by a few centimetres. Moments later Diallo could only blaze his effort over the crossbar from a Mahamadou Traore cross, as Mali started the second half as they had ended the first, controlling the game and looking the side more likely to break the deadlock

In the 75th minute, Niane picked up a pass inside the box but fell down as he tried to turn and shoot and another chance went begging. Minutes later, Hamidou Traore unleashed a ferocious free-kick that beat the human wall and goalkeeper Antwi, but the ball hit the corssbar as Ghana survived again.