Ghana U20 look to the future

After losing the final of the Under-20 World Cup to Argentina, Ghanaian FA officials are planning to keep the same squad for the Olympic Games in Athens.

The coach of the Black Satellites, Emmanuel Afranie, said after the 3-0 defeat to Argentina that the core of the current team could hold the future for Ghana. But he warned against pushing the players too far too fast.

"We should avoid the mistakes of the past by giving this group of players more exposure - leading to the Olympic Games in Athens," Afranie said.

"In the past the young players were hurriedly put in the senior national team and it affected the development program generally."

Afranie said that when preparations for the Olympics get underway, there would be a few changes to the current side but the bulk of the players would stay together.

Among those who made a key impact in Argentina were strikers Derrick Boateng, Razak Pinpong, midfielders Razak Ibrahim, Michael Essien and defender John Mensah.

All four players were members of the Under-17 squad that won the African Nations Cup two years ago in Guinea.

Ghana became the first African side to win an Olympic medal in 1992 in Barcelona when the Black Meteors collected bronze.

Afranie added that although Ghana have only an outside chance of reaching the World Cup finals in Japan and Korea next year, his group of players could be hitting top form to lead the Black Stars to the 2006 World Cup.

"In 2006, this team will be playing against some of the players they have met in Argentina and by that time they will know what to expect."

Although Ghana won the silver in Argentina, few expected the Black Satellites to get though the first round because of a chaotic build-up.

But Afranie said the secret of their success was great team spirit and the players motivated the players to fortify their confidence.