Ghana ends a long-wait for another title dream as the Black Satellites survive a South African comeback to win the seven-goal semi-final thriller 4-3.
The win puts Ghana in Sunday’s final of the Africa Youth Championship. Ghana, two-time winners in 1993 and 1999, last made it to the finals of the competition in 2001.
South Africa, trailing 1-4 by the 71st minute managed to pull two late goals as Ghana let off their opponents, sending the game into some anxious moments during added time at the Amahoro stadium.
Dominic Adiyiah broke his goal duck at the tournament when he put Ghana in front in the 26th minute.
The striker found himself in position to angle the ball into the roof of the net from close range after striking partner, Ransford Osei had held off a challenge from his marker.
Ghana held onto the lone goal lead until some few second to end the opening half when Ransford Osei doubled up the Black Satellites’ lead, squeezing the ball home in the six-yard box after goalkeeper Hilatshwayo Thulani had spilled his first time effort on the stroke of half-time.
Both sides returned from the break but it was the South Africans who opened the scoring the second half.
Bhengu Phumelele found the back of the net after a beautiful play with a colleague after 60 minutes.
Then the Black Satellites responded in the 65th minute through captain Andre Ayew, who headed in a flick by Isaac Donkor.
Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh withdrew David Addy for Kassenu Ghandy before following it up with his second substitution, bringing on Enoch Kofi Adu for captain, Andre Ayew.
Ransford Osei hit his fifth goal of the tournament when he got Ghana's fourth of the afternoon in the 70th minute after Dominic Adiyah had laid the ball into his path.
Ghana were some 19 minutes away from coasting to a smooth finals of the Africa Youth Championship when the Black Satellites let off their guard, allowing the Amajita to pull two goals back.
Caught up in the excitement, Ghana conceded possession in their half and Serero Thulani, one of South Africa’s best performers, picked up the ball and curled it from outside the box to the far post as the it went off the up-right before rolling into the back of the net with goalkeeper Daniel Agyei well beaten.
At 4-2, the Black Satellites failed to get back into the groove as Awako Gladson fouled an opponent in the box for a penalty.
Bhengu Phumelele converted the spot kick to leave the score at 4-3 as Ghana made their final substitution with Isaac Donkor giving way to Abeiku Quansah.
Four minutes of added time was left to play for as the corner flag in the South Africa area came off holding up play for more than three minutes.
But when play resumed, it was South Africa who were forcing to draw level as Ghana fought to hold onto their slim lead.
However, the final whistle was blown by referee Adbel Gadir Bard as Ghana secured their place at the finals, a fourth in Ghana’s history in the age-category competition.
Ghana have already booked a place for the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt in September by reaching the semi-finals.
Ghana Line-up:
Daniel Agyei, Samuel Inkoom, Awako Gladson, Jonathan Mensah, Daniel Addo, David Addy/Kassenu Ghandy, Agyemang Badu, Ayew Andre/Enoch Kofi Adu, Dominic Adiyiah, Isaac Donkor/Abeiku Quansah, Ransford Osei.
Reserve Salifu Latif, Asiamah Godfred Rockson, Boampong Phillip, Addo Joseph.