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Former Ghana International, Mohammed Gargo has taken a swipe at Black Satellites, stating that they did not play according to any planned pattern in their last group game against Gambia at the ongoing Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Mauritania.

Ghana secured a slot in the quarterfinals of the 2021 CAF U-20 African Cup of Nations despite losing 1-2 to Gambia in the final group stage game Monday, February 22, 2021.

The three-time Champions finished as one of the third best-placed teams after falling behind Morocco and Gambia in the Group C table.

Coach Karim Zito’s side took the lead in the 8th minute before the Gambians levelled the scores on the 20th-minute mark.

The Gambians scored again in the 34th-minute through a freekick to secure all three points.

Ghanaians have lambasted Zito for not guiding the team to exhibit what they describe as the ‘Ghanaian style of play’.

According to Gargo – a former player of Udinese and Genoa, the Black Satellites were poor tactically.

“We were not tactically astute on the day. We kept playing to the strength of the Gambians. Ghana is used to possessive football and this was very uncharacteristic of our play, ” he told Akoma FM.

“Fatau is my player and he not the type of player who can combine defensive duties with attacking responsibilities.”

Ghana is set to face Cameroon in the quarterfinals stage on Thursday to fight for a place in the semi-final.

Gargo believes it would be difficult for Ghana to beat Cameroon on the day.

“I doubt if Ghana can qualify against Cameroon. If we can’t control the game, then we can’t win the game.”

Gambia came from behind to beat Ghana 2-1 to qualify for the quarterfinals of the 2021 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Mauritania Monday night.

Abdul Fatawu’s curler just outside the area gave the Black Satellites the lead inside the first eight minutes before the Young Scorpions came back with goals from Kajally Drammeh and Lamarana Jallow to win the West Africa derby at the Stade Municipal de Nouadhibou.

The victory sends the Gambia to the knockout stage for the first time in 14 years when they finished third at the 2007 edition in Congo Brazzaville; they will face the Central African Republic in the quarterfinals. The Black Satellites also qualified for the last eight to face Cameroon in Nouakchott.

The Gambia came into Monday’s match knowing they needed to beat the Ghanaians to qualify after the results in Group B.

The highly charged match lived up to its billing as the two sides showed purpose and zeal to go for the points in Nouadhibou.

Gambia goalkeeper Lamin Saidy was called to action early on, the Real de Banjul shot-stopper tipped over Fatawu’s dipping free-kick after 5 minutes.

Fatawu broke the deadlock with a stunning curler after 8 minutes to give the Black Satellites the lead, the Steadfast FC attacking midfielder beat two defenders before firing into the top corner.

The Scorpions responded with a close-range header from Kajally Drammeh, the diminutive winger headed in Ebou Camara’s cross past the keeper to level the score after 15 minutes.

The Gambia scored the second after the half-hour mark, Lamarana Jallow hammered in a free-kick past the keeper to give the Young Scorpions the lead.

Lamin Saidy pulled a brilliant save to deny Percious Boah with a strong block, the keeper used his legs to keep out the striker’s low drive after he was played in by Fatawu.

The second saw the two sides cancel each other before the Gambia were reduced to ten men after Ebou Camara was sent off for a second booking late on.

The Gambia will now take on debutants Central African Republic in the quarterfinals in Nouakchott whiles Ghana will face Cameroon in the last eight.

©Cafonline

Coach Abdul Karim Zito has described Monday’s CAF U20 African Cup of Nations (U20 AFCON) final group match against Gambia as an important match for Ghana.

The head coach of the Black Satellites insists that his side is poised to secure a win over the Gambians and retain the top spot on Group C as well as qualification to the next stage.

“It is going to be an interesting game because of different reasons. For us, though we have one leg in the next round we want to finish on top of the group. They will also want to come out and fight for qualification”, Coach Zito stated at the pre-match press conference held on Sunday morning.

While admitting that Group C still remains open with four  all countries still having chances of making it to the next stage, the Ghana gaffer was confident that his team has what it takes to secure a win on Monday.

“Everyone in this group  can qualify. We were unlucky not to win our last match and that what makes tomorrow’s game a must-win for Ghana.”

“In terms of goals we may say we are ahead of others but for us finishing on top is our priority”.

“I know they are really preparing well for the match but we are also prepared to face them”the head coach stated.

The other Group C game between Morocco and Tanzania in Nouakchott will kick off simultaneously as the game at the Stade Municipal Nouadhibou.

The games are scheduled to kick off at 7pm.