The defeat not only ended Ghana’s AFCON campaign but also dashed their hopes of qualifying for the FIFA U20 World Cup, with only the tournament’s four semi-finalists earning a ticket to the global showpiece.
The quarter-final clash began at a frenetic pace, with Egypt seizing the initiative through a quick-fire brace from Momen Sherif. The Egyptian forward capitalised on two defensive lapses from Ghana as the North Africans looked to have pulled away.
Facing a two-goal deficit, Ghana rallied and pulled one back just before half-time, as Aziz Issah fired home a left-footed strike from outside the box to give his side hope heading into the break.
The second half was a tense, tactical battle, with Ghana pushing for an equaliser and Egypt defending resolutely. As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Ghana’s persistence paid off.
VAR intervened to award the Black Satellites a penalty after Joseph Opoku was fouled in the box. Substitute Hakim Sulemana stepped up and coolly converted in the 101st minute, leveling the match at 2-2 and sending the contest into extra time.
Both teams searched for a winner in the additional 30 minutes, but Ghana’s hopes took a major blow when defender Aaron Essel was sent off after a last-man tackle in the 107th minute.
Despite being a man down, Ghana held firm as Egypt pressed for a late goal, with chances falling to Omar Fathy and Amr Khaled. Ultimately, neither side could find a breakthrough as the match went to penalties.
In the shootout, Ghana and Egypt exchanged composed finishes. Aziz Issah, Denis Marfo, Joseph Opoku, and Musibau Aziz all converted for Ghana, but Dacosta Antwi’s effort was saved. Egypt were flawless from the spot, with Ahmed Abdin, Ahmed Khaled, Seif El Deen Essam, Mohamed Raafat, and Abdallah Bostangy all scoring to seal a 5-4 victory.
The defeat is a bitter blow for the Black Satellites, who needed a semi-final berth to secure qualification to the U20 World Cup for the first time since 2015.
Despite a spirited comeback and a resilient performance with ten men, Ghana’s campaign ends in disappointment. The result also echoes previous heartbreaks against Egypt at this level, including the 2013 final defeat.
Egypt, meanwhile, progress to their eighth U20 AFCON semi-final and remain in contention for a fifth continental title.
