Accra, Oct. 20, GNA - Ghana's Black Satellites look set to seal their place at the Libya 2011 African Youth Championship on Saturday when they host Benin in the second leg of the final round qualifiers. Satellites, the reigning Africa and world champions have a two-goal lead from the first leg held in Cotonou last month and are highly favoured to complete a double over the Junior Squirrels to book their place at the final tournament.
As holders of the competition, expectations are high of coach Orlando Wellington and his charges even though they are yet to reach the standard of his predecessors in the qualifying series. Prior to cruising to the title last year, the Satellites had failed to reach the continental tournament since 2001 and stumbled at some ultimate stages.
From the result of the first leg, the Satellites are fancied to go through but could be forced to smile at the wrong side of their mouths should complacency set into their game as the visitors have a rich record of playing away from home.
At the previous round, the Junior Squirrels masterminded one of the biggest shocks by beating Burkina Faso 4-2 in Ouagadougou after managing a barren draw in the first leg in Cotonou, and replicating such a performance against the Satellites appears to be not beyond their reach. Benin have carved a niche amongst the emerging forces of youth football on the continent, following their bronze feat on home soil in 2005 and have set their sight for a place at the Libya-bound event after missing out on the last two editions.
As usual the Junior Squirrels are expected to make changes to their squad as in the case in their previous rounds, a scenario which has compelled Satellites to hand invitations to Jordan Ayew, the youngest son of Ghana's football legend, Abedi Pele Ayew and a relatively-unknown Amidu Salifu of Italian Side, Vicenza for the last tango.
The duo will complement the efforts of the quartet of captain Mahatma Otoo of Esperance fame, Richmond Boakye-Yiadom of Genoa, Parlemo's Afriyie Acquah and James Bissue of Israeli side Hapoel Be'er Sheva and their local counterparts in the quest to record a convincing win over the Junior Squirrels.
With a place at the final tournament staring them in the face, coach Wellington has declared that he will approach the game with no hindsight of the convincing win in the first leg.
"We are aware we won the first leg but that doesn't mean we should underrate our opponents. In a competition of this nature, you underrate your opponents' at your own peril," Wellington told GNA Sports in an interview.
"We are very focused for the game and will not give room for any form of complacency. We can't predict the output of the Beninois but we are prepared for whatever approach they adopt." Libya will host the final tournament from March 18 to April 1, 2011.
