Obuasi, Aug. 6, GNA -- Two second half goals from Mark Adu Amofa and Jerry Akaminko gave the Black Satellites of Ghana a 2-0 win over their Senegalese counterparts in the first leg of the African Youth championship qualifier at the Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium on Sunday. The victory did not only brighten the chances of the National U-20 soccer team, but also lifted the spirits of Coach Oti Akenten whose marriage with glorious Hearts of Oak ended last week following two successive defeats suffered by the Phobians in the MTN/CAF Champions League encounters.

It took the Satellites 59 minutes before they could break the deadlock as they found it hard to counter the defensive-minded attitude of the visitors.

Skipper Akaminko sent a defence-splitting volley into the Senegalese goal area and Adu Mofa pounced on it to deliver a first time kick which goal keeper S.Y. Biti pushed on his way for him to head home the opener in the 59th minute.

The goal forced the visitors to open up and as the Satellites launched series of raids into the goal area their defence was found wanting and it was during one of such raids that advancing Opoku Agyemang was fouled in the box by Sidy Ndiaye for a penalty and Akaminko rifled in the ball for the second goal for the Satellites. The Satellites had a tall order to win the game at all cost as they missed the last two editions of the African Youth competitions and therefore started the game on a fast note but Sadat Bukari threw away a first minute opportunity.

Sadat was on hand again to mess up a chance when in the 10th minute, the striker shot feebly into the waiting hands of goalkeeper Biti while the Ghanaians wasted two quick corner kicks.

In the 25th minute, Charles Boateng tested keeper Biti with a powerful shot which the keeper did well to control and as the defensive ploy of the visitors worked to perfection, the Satellites rather decided to float their balls which the tall Senegalese controlled with ease. The Satellites failed to find an antidote to salvage the situation even with the support and cheers from the Ghana National Supporters Union and the Supporters Union of Ghana to end the first half goalless. Kofi Nti Boakye replaced Osei Banahene for the Satellites on resumption of the second half and they went ahead to waste two corner kicks within the next 10 minutes.

In the 59th minute, the few supporters however rose to cheer the young lads as Adu Amofa hit the back of the net.

After the Satellites second goal, coach Oti-Akenten brought on Jonathan Quartey and Kwadwo Asamoah for Isaac Vorsah and Adu Amofa whilst the Senegalese competed their substitution when Pape Maly Namanka, Mor Diouf and Ibrahim Camara gave way for Yoro Lamine Ly, Baye Ibrahima Niasse and Pape Ndiasse Sarr.

The Satellites nearly increased their tally in the 87th minute but Francis Mantey's curling volley was pushed to corner for the opportunity to be wasted.

Line up Satellites :

Isaac Ackon, Jerry Akaminko, Solomon Addy, Samuel Kaku Enzemoba, Isaac Vorsah/Jonathan Quartey, Francis Mantey, Opoku Agyemang, Charles Boateng, Sadat Bukari, Mark Adu Amofah/Kwadwo Asamoah, Emmanuel Osei Banahene/Boakye Kofi Nti. 06 Aug. 06