2025 AFCON U-20: We tried our best but we weren’t lucky against Egypt- Hakim Sulemana

Ghana Black Satellites forward Hakim Sulemana is disappointed. The team failed to qualify for the semifinals of the 2025 CAF AFCON Under-20 Championship.

Sulemana believes luck played a role in their elimination. The Satellites lost 5-4 in a penalty shootout. They had drawn 2-2 with the host nation after regulation and extra time.

Ghana came back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game. Goals from Abdul Aziz Issah and Sulemana helped them equalize. Sulemana scored his goal from the penalty spot at the end of regulation time.

Despite being named Man of the Match, Sulemana felt let down by the result. “It’s always hard when you are two nil down,” he said. “We gave it our all but didn’t have luck on our side.”

He added that their aim was to qualify for the World Cup and win it. “We are not happy at all,” he stated.

By missing out on the semifinals, Ghana cannot compete in the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile. They haven't qualified for this tournament since 2015.