CAF Youth Championships Semi Finals

[kponkpa]

The tournament reaches the Semi final stage with all matches being played today.

GHANA vs SOUTH AFRICA
This is the second time these two countries meet at this stage in this competition. The first being in 1997 when South Africa then with their star player Benni McCarthy now with Blackburn defeated their Ghanaian counterparts on penalties after a 1-1 drawn game. Will history repeat itself? I doubt that. I have talked about how talented and organised this Ghanaian team is and one of the favourites to win the tourney. They put up a professional display to dispose off the host Rwanda with 2 goals from Korea 2007 U17 silver boot winner Ransford Osei. The South Africans have been the surprise package of the tourney, they managed to make it through with a better goal difference. They won their first two games against 2 West African giants Ivory Coast and Nigeria and lost to Egypt. Are they going to add Ghana the third West African team to their list of victims? These two teams rely on their skills and quick passing free flowing game, so i expect it to be a very nice and interesting game to watch. The two sides are no physical in their approach and like to express themselves on the field of play. I think this type of game will favour the Ghanaians whose defiency appears to be in defence, but the arrival of Jonathan Mensah has helped improve them at the back solidly. Jonathan who plies his trade in the South African league is aware of the threat the South African attack possess. The South Africans are a delight to watch but are very wasteful in front of goal. This is going to be a tight game and i expect the quality of Ghana to reign supreme at the end of 90 minutes.

My recommendation: GHANA WIN


NIGERIA vs CAMEROUN
The big clash between these rivals. I have personally tagged this game " The war of men", why because i think the tourney is for teenagers but these two sides have overage players. One doesnt need to be a rocket scientist to know this when you see the players of both sides on display. In terms of skill, the Nigerians are far ahead and have much more quality. There wouldnt be any underestimation here on the part of Nigeria because of the sort of bitter rivalry that exist between these two countries. Nigeria manged to beat Ivory Coast by 3-0 in their last game but the Ivorians had better ball possession. The game will be very physical and they have the men with the physical presence. I think Nigeria are a shade ahead of their Camerounian counterparts and i will only be watching the match to enjoy it. Those interested in betting, Nigeria stands out favourite but personally i see the Camerounians qualifying. If i had to bet on this game it will be Cameroun or draw.

Good luck as always to everybody and i hope today goes well. Yesterday was a disaster as my bankers Gillingham and Wrexham failed. I lost all bets yesterday.

[Belkin]

i expect hard fight in both games with low scoring outcome, maybe decided by a solitary goal. under 2.5 in both. ghana should prevail.
gl

[kponkpa]

Brilliant call there Belkin, under looks good as the matches are going to be tight.

[kponkpa]

HT Ghana 2 South Africa 0

As i mentioned in my preview, its going to be an exciting game as both teams prefer the passing game with skills as exhibited by Arsenal. The South African are just a shade ahead when it comes to ball possession but havent threatened the Ghanaian defence at all. The Ghanaians as i pointed out are a very quality side and have used the ball well as well as their skills. I know my country men very well and i hope that Ghanaian attitude of overcomplacency wouldnt set into their game in the 2nd half. I am hoping they keep up from where they left from. I am not only concerned because its my country playing but because i have put my hard earned CASH on them, so they better not fail. Lets keep our fingers crossed and watch what happens in the 2nd half. In football anything is possible, as a goal from South Africa can possibly affect the game. I am hoping they get a third goal then relax and play the AGORO soccer as we call it here in Ghana. Those wondering what AGORO soccer is, thats playing the samba style or that Arsenal style to please the crowd and tease your opponents as well to send a message to them that they are simply no match.

[engineer]

Nice call on Ghana, guys
What a cracker that game was

[kponkpa]

FT Ghana 4 South Africa 3
Yes believe it, BET WON but i am disgusted and angry at this high level of stupidity exhibited by the Ghanaians. Half time 2-0 up, started the second half well and conceeded a goal against the round of play to bring scores to 2-1. Ghana then immediately restored the 2 goal cushion by getting a third goal and then adding the fourth to make it 4-1. Just as i had feared, they resulted to their fanciful footie characterised by fancy backheels and fancy flicks. Our dump coach stood there watching instead of warning these foolish boys. At 4-1 up i expect any coach worth his sorts to ask his team to maintain the same level head and possibly get more goals. The Ghanaian players tending to hang onto the ball for too long got caught in possession on numerous occasions and one of them resulted in a long range effort beating the goalkeeper. At this point i thought any sensible human being will learn from the mistake and attch the needed seriousness, but yes definitely not these stupid countrymen of mine, they continued with the same approach. In the 86th minute a defender had the easiest option of clearing a loose ball from the 18 yard box of Ghana but rather choose the difficult option of dribbling his opponent in the 18 yard box, YES believe it, and lost the ball in the process. In an attempt to win the ball he fouled his opponent and the referee rightly whistled for a penalty. 4-3, you can imagine how i was sweating in my pants, phew....what a close shave. This would have been an easy match for the Ghanaians had it not being for their sheer FOOLISHNESS and STUPIDITY in the last 15 minutes of the game. At least i have my money but definitely no Ghanaian is happy with this sort of performance.

[kponkpa]

South Africa Youth vs Nigeria Youth 3rd/4th place match

The two teams meet in the group stages where South Africa came from a goal down to beat Nigeria by 2-1. These two teams are attacking minded and since there is not much at stake and they have already qualified for the World Youth Cup in Egypt, the motivation wouldnt be that high. Nigeria might want to get a revenge and South Africa will still want to maintain that dominance. I see a game full of goals and i will go for over2.5


My pick Over 2.5 goals

[engineer]

Another nice shout, , kponk