All the best to Ghana and all the Africans around the world!
-NileSports.com
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Ghana were crowned first African champions of FIFA U-20 World Cup after beating Brazil 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw in the normal and extra times.
The Black Satellites played more than 80 minutes with just ten players after Daniel Addo was dismissed in the first-half.
Emmanuel Badu converted the winning penalty as some 76.000 in the Cairo International Stadium celebrated the title with the Ghana players, whom one of them, David Addy, ran around the pitch waving the Egyptian flag.
Ghana have reached the final twice before, but lost on the two occasions to Brazil and Argentina respectively.
Brazil started with two holding midfielders while Ghana modified their tactics to play with a 4-4-1-1 formation as both teams sought dominating possession.
But Ghana players failed to find their rhythm playing with a lone striker in Ransford Osei as tournament’s top-scorer Dominic Adiyiah dropped back to assist captain Andre Ayew.
Brazil were more dangerous and sent several crosses but the Ghanaian defenders and keeper Daniel Agyei cleared comfortably.
The only shot on goal came from right-back Douglas who penetrated the Ghana defense before slamming the ball from the edge of the area, forcing a good save from Agyei.
Yet, the effort hasn’t overshadowed Douglas mistakes on the defensive end.
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Douglas lost all challenges with Ghana left-back David Addy and Brazil coach Rogerio substituted him just five minutes before the break.
Before the substitution, Brazil chances were boosted when Ghana defender Daniel Addo received his marching orders after a harsh tackle in the midfield.
Brazil controlled the game in the second period as Ghana struggled to keep up due to the numerical disadvantage.
Substitute Douglas Costa launched several raids down the left flank, feeding Alan Kardec with lethal crosses. But the Vasco da Gama striker failed squandered all chances.
The game went into extra time as Agyei was called upon again in the 96th minute, when he made a miraculous save, parrying Maicon’s screamer from close range.
Ghana players looked exhausted and remained under constant bombardment from the Brazilians but Agyei was always there for the rescue.
In the penalties, Andre Ayew, Samuel Inkoom, Dominic Adiyiah and Badu scored for Ghana while Jonathan Mensah and Bright Addae missed.
On the other hand, Kardec, Giuliano and Costa converted successfully for Brazil, but Souza, Alex Teixeira and Maicon missed, with the latter blasting a crucial spot kick over the bar.
