U20 AFCON 2025: Five things we learnt as Ghana open tournament with draw against DR Congo

The Black Satellites of Ghana drew 1-1 in their opening game. This match was at the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. Aziz Musibau scored to equalize after Samuel Ntandu-Lukisa's early goal for DR Congo. Both teams shared the points in a thrilling Group C opener.

Coach Desmond Offei hopes his team will win against Senegal next. Here are five key takeaways from the first game.

Abdul Hakim Sulemana shines
Abdul Hakim, brother of Southampton winger Kamaldeen Sulemana, impressed with his performance. He earned the Man of the Match award despite not scoring. The Congolese struggled to contain him throughout the match.

Jerry Afriyie should have started
CD Lugo striker Jerry Afriyie began on the bench. Ghana lacked attacking power in the first half. Musibau's goal was their only highlight before halftime. Afriyie's entry added threat, forcing DR Congo to defend more. He nearly scored late but a defender cleared his shot.

Ghana's slow starters continue
Ghana has a history of slow starts in tournaments. They drew their opening match at the last Africa U20 Cup of Nations in 2021 but went on to win it. The Black Satellites showed signs of improvement ahead of facing Senegal.

Desmond Offei prefers possession play
Even after conceding an early goal, Offei emphasized controlling possession. The build-up to Musibau's equalizer reflected this strategy well. Ghana dominated much of the game and held over 60% possession by halftime.

Aziz Issah appears rusty
Expectations are high for Barca Athletic player Aziz Issah. His late-game introduction showed he needs more playing time to regain form. Ghana relies on him for success in this tournament. During his brief appearance, he struggled with ball control, which is unusual for him.