Ghana?s Black Satellites face Portugal in a fight for a place in the quarters
Ghana?s Black Satellites face Portugal in a round of 16 tie in Kayseri on Wednesday evening and must win to protect their reputation in the tournament.
The Black Satellites remain Africa?s most successful side ever in the tournament?s 36 year history.
But Turkey 2013 has not been one of the most palatable stories for the West African giants as they have thrown away an enviable record of never losing a group game at the competition.
They lost both of their opening group games to France and Spain, 3-1 and 1-0 respectively.
Qualification to the next round of the tournament was propelled by the 4-1 thrashing of the United States at the same venue for Wednesday?s encounter with the Iberians.
Sellas Tetteh?s side had to keep faith until the final group games as Egypt posted a 2-0 win over England to secure their ticket.
Ghana?s opposition ? Portugal, are two winners of the tournament, the last time was on home soil in 1991 when they beat Brazil to the title.
Their performance in Group B was to a scale superior in texture as they scrap 7 out of a possible 9 points from the group beating Nigeria and Cuba before splitting points with South Korea.
Sporting Lisbon youngster Armindo Bruma scoring five out of the ten goals they scored in the group stages.
However, Edgar Borges would miss his first choice goalkeeper as the 20-year-old Maritimo keeper is a doubt with a hand injury.
Ghana scored five times and conceded equal number of the goals but their game has seen an improvement game after game.
After losing to France in the opening game, the Satellites put in a strong performance against Spain and lost narrowly because clinching a decisive win over USA.
Striker Ebenezer Assifuah who replaced Francis Narh scored twice against the USA and is likely to partner Juventus striker Richmond Boakye-Yiadom in attack.
Inter Milan youngster Alfred Duncan who missed the USA game with a knock is set to be back into the starting line-up.
Ghana?s high energy play could prove difficult for the Portuguese who have already beaten an African side at the tournament.
Their last encounter with the Ghana U20 side came as far back in June 2007 at the Toulon Tournament in France, they beat the Satellites 1-0.
Ghana?s probable line-up: Ofori Antwi ? Richmond Nketiah, Joseph Attama, Lawrence Lartey, Baba Abdul Rahman ? Alfred Duncan, Seidu Salifu, Clifford Aboagye, Frank Acheampong ? Ebenezer Assifuah, Richmond Boakye-Yiadom.
Prediction: Ghana 2-1 Portugal.
Note: Ghana are likely to win the tie narrowly though Portugal?s experience at the tournament could also make them favourites.
