2025 CAF Under-20: Ghana lose to Egypt to miss out on qualification to World Cup

Ghana’s Black Satellites have failed to qualify for the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup. They lost to Egypt in the quarterfinals of the 2025 CAF AFCON Under-20 Championship. The match ended 2-2 after regulation and extra time. Ghana lost 5-4 in the penalty shootout.

Dacosta Antwi missed a crucial penalty kick. Egypt converted all five of their penalties, securing their semifinal spot. Ghana had made a strong comeback from a 2-0 deficit early in the game.

Mohammed Sherif scored both goals for Egypt. His first goal came in the 19th minute due to a mistake by Ghana's goalkeeper Gidios Aseako and captain Ofori McCarthy. Sherif's second goal was similar, as Aseako and McCarthy hesitated again on a clearance.

Ghana midfielder Abdul Aziz Issah scored in the first half at the 47th minute. His shot slipped past Egyptian goalkeeper AbdelMoneim Tamer. Desmond Ofei’s team started strong in the second half, creating chances from corner kicks.

Aaron Essel nearly equalized with a header that went just over the bar. Opoku Amankwah made dangerous runs as Ghana searched for another goal. Aziz Issah forced a great save from Tamer in the 76th minute.

By the 79th minute, Ghana held 77.1% possession compared to Egypt's 22.9%. Hakim Sulemana's free kick in the 88th minute went wide but he later scored from a penalty kick, sending the game into extra time.

In extra time, Aaron Essel received a red card in the 106th minute after lightly touching Amr “Bibo” Khaled, who fell dramatically to the ground.

The Black Satellites fought bravely but their journey ended here with this loss.