Ghana's chances of playing at the 2017 Africa Under-20 Championship were cut back on Sunday following a 2-1 away defeat to Ethiopia in the qualifiers.

Mohammed Ame fetched two quick goals in the opening nine minutes, before Jonathan Osabutey halved the deficit two minutes from fulltime in the second round qualifying fixture played in Addis Ababa.

Ame opened the scoring for the home side with a rebound in the fourth minute, after goalkeeper Kwame Baah had denied Surafel Awel’s first effort.

The attacker then took advantage of a defensive lapse by the Ghanaians, dispossessing Issaku Konda, before firing past Baah to double the lead on nine minutes.

Dauda Mohammed then seemingly brought Ghana back into the game in the 85th minute, but his effort was ruled offside, before Osabutey struck three minutes later.

The Black Satellites now have their job cut out ahead of the return fixture between June 10 and 12.

The winner over both legs will progress to the third and final round to play the victor of the Tunisia-Senegal tie.

Ghana drew a bye in the first round of the qualifiers while Ethiopia dispatched Somalia 4-1 on aggregate to progress.

Seven teams are expected to join host Zambia for the final championship which runs between February 26 and March 12, 2017.

The top four sides from the African gathering will qualify for the 2017 Fifa Under-20 World Cup in South Korea.

Ghana placed third at the 2015 African Championship before suffering a last 16 exit at the global fiesta in New Zealand.