Accra (Greater Accra), 1 March '99

Four of the continent's most powerful soccer nations- Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Zambia are through to the semi finals of the Ghana '99, scheduled for Thursday, March four. In addition, the four have all qualified to represent Africa at the world U-20 World FIFA/Coca Cola championship in Nigeria next April. But among the four, Ghana's Black Satellites could be described as the surprise team to have made it to Nigeria '99. No one, not even Ghanaian soccer fans, gave them a dog's chance in the preliminary stages of the tournament, let alone to qualify for the world tournament. In their pre-tournament friendlies, the Satellites were humiliated 3-0 by Mali and even the the national under 17 team, the Black Starlets beat them 1-0. Surprisingly, Mali, who eight months ago had no respect for the Satellites and one of the pre-tournament's favourites, are in a fix as to their qualification to the Nigerian championship. They are waiting for a play-off against Guinea, on Wednesday March three. The lucky winner on that day joins the top four in Nigeria '99. Their performance against the Satellites prior to the championship was so impressive that both foreign and local media had no choice but to rate them high. Alas, they succumbed to their old foes, the Satellites in the opening group A match by a lone goal via a penalty. The Malians, however, salvaged their sinking image with a 1-1 draw against Cameroon and a stunning 3-1 victory over Angola, who lost all their three matches in the group. Guinea on the other hand, after putting up a splendid performance against Nigeria in group B, losing 3-4, were tipped to walk over the remaining group mates but shockingly went down 6-2 to Zambia and managed to beat Malawi, the weakest side in the group 3-2 Consistent Zambians registered their first victory 1-0 against Malawi and drew 0-0 with Nigeria, and trounced Malawi 5-0 to share the group's top spot with Nigeria, both of who are on seven points each. Zambia, who placed second to Nigeria because of inferior goals aggregate, trek to Accra as guest of the Satellites in the first of the two semi-final matches while group A winners, Nigeria stay in Kumasi to welcome the Leon Ceaux of Cameroon in the second encounter. Though attendance at the two stadiums so far could best be described as disappointing, the matches have not. As at now, 41 goals, made up 26 from group B and 15 from group A, have been recorded Statistics show that Guinea has the weakest defence, conceding as many as 12 goals with only eight for while Angola and Malawi, the weakest sides, have each had nine goals into their nets with one and two goals in their favour respectively. Nigeria has registered the highest nine goals with three against while Ghana and Zambia have banged in seven goals apiece with one and two against respectively.