Percious Boah’s brace and one each from Fatawu Issahaku and Joselpho Barnes was enough to give Ghana a sweet 4-0 win against Tanzania in the group C opening game of the U-20 Championship on Tuesday afternoon at the Stade Municipal Nouadhibou.
Dreams FC forward Percious Boah shot Ghana ahead after just three minutes into the game with a sumptuous freekick.
In the 17th minute, Boah had a chance to bag his second goal of the game but his strike went narrowly wide the post as the Black Satellites held on to their 1-0 lead.
Tanzania nearly restored parity in the 25th-minute mark of the game Goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad pulled a fine save to deny Tanzania the leveler.
Minutes later Abdul Fatawu Issahaku scored what could be the goal of the tournament to double the Black Satellites’ lead after 30 minutes of action as Ghana went into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead despite Tanzania dominating play.
Back from recess, Tanzania reorganized themselves so well and started mounting pressure on the Ghanaian team in a quest to get the two first-half goals canceled.
Ghana coach Abdul Karim Zito varied his tactics and made his first substitution in the 64th minute when he brought on Legon Cities FC youngster Matthew Anim Cudjoe to replace Eric Ansu Appiah.
In the 67th minute, Tanzania made a thunderous move which almost got b them a goal but thanks to Ibrahim Danlad who made a brilliant save to prevent the ball from entering the net.
Ghana extended their lead to 3-0 in the 71st minute when striker Percious Boah bagged his second goal in the game with a fine strike.
Tanzania had another chance in the 78th minute to reduce their deficit but again Danlad Ibrahim save a well-taken free-kick to maintain Ghana’s 3-0 lead.
Ghana made the final substitutions with Patrick Mensah and Afryie Barnie coming on for Percious Boah and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku respectively in the 83rd minute.
Striker Joselpho Barnes struck in the 89th minute to wrap up a commanding 4-0 win for the Black Satellites.
Ghana start list against Tanzania:
Danlad Ibrahim (C), Philemon Baffour, Samuel Abbey Achie-Quaye, Nathaniel Adjei, Frank Kwabena Assinki
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Emmanuel Essiam, Mohammed Sulemana, Eric Ansu Appiah, Precious Boah, Joselpho Barnes.
Subs: William Emmanuel Ensu, Patrick Mensah, Sampson Agyapong, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Ofori McCarthy
Samuel Koshie Agbenyega, Uzair Alhassan, Mathew Anim Cudjoe, Ivan Anokye Mensah.
