12 April 2011
GHANA
Ghana have been dealt a blow with the news that Jordan Ayew will miss the African Youth Championships after his French club Olympique Marseille refused to release him for the tournament.
Ayew is the son of Ghana legend Abedi Pele, and the younger brother of Black Stars regular Andre Ayew. The 19 year old has already made 15 appearances for OM this season and with the side chasing the Ligue 1 title, they have decided to retain his services for the next few weeks.
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa are in the same boat after two of their potential star men, Feyenoord defensive midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo and Moroka Swallows forward Auguston Leonard, were not released by their clubs. As the tournament does form part of the FIFA calendar, clubs are not forced to let players go.
NIGERIA
Nigeria striker Ahmed Musa scored his third goal of the season for Dutch Eredivisie side VVV Venlo at the weekend before jetting out to South Africa to join up with his teammates for the African Youth Championships. Musa, who has also played for the full national team, is one of the highest profile players competing in the tournament and will be key to Nigerias chances.
GHANA
The chairman of Ghanas Under 20 national team management committee, Jordan Anagbla, maintains the side is not under pressure to retain the title they won in Rwanda in 2009.
We are the defending champions and are not under any sort of pressure at all. The teams that are coming for the title should be the one that should feel pressured and certainly not us, Anagbla told Citi Sports.
We are happy with the level of preparations and were getting our spot on and hopefully well do our best to defend the trophy.
GAMBIA
Gambia have named their final squad for the tournament, with coach Lamine Sarr naming seven foreignbased players in the form of Ousman Jarju (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Omar Jassey (San Jose Earthquake, USA), Omar Colley (Kansas City Wizards, USA), Matarr Jobe (FC Valour, Iceland), Ebrima Camara (Gonilis FC, Sweden), Ebrima Kanteh Ndow (FC Salt, Spain), Saihou Gassama (Real Zaragoza, Spain) and Baboucarr Jammeh (Rush Academy, USA).
Sarr was unable to secure the release of Croatia based Lamin Samateh.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Musa Camara (Gamtel), Alagie Nyabally (Bakau United), Baboucarr Sanyang (Brikama United)
Defenders: Matarr Jobe (FC Valour, Iceland), Ebrima Camara (Gonilis FC, Sweden), Omar Colley (Kansas City, USA), Baboucarr Savage (Real de Banjul), Abdou Njie (GPA), Saikou Jawneh (Bakau United)
Midfielders: Baboucarr Jammeh (Rush Academy, USA), Omar Jasseh (San Jose, USA), Saihou Gassama (Real Zaragoza, Spain), Lamin Sarjo Samateh (Samger), Pateh Nyang (Seaview), Mamut Saine (Seaview), Pa Sulayman Badjie (Samger), Mustapha Jatta (Hawks)
Strikers: Ousman Jarju (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Alassana Camara (Steve Biko), Ebrima Camara (Bakau United), Ebrima Kanteh Ndow (FC Salt, Spain)
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa have warmed up for the tournament with a 32 victory over Cameroon thanks to goals from Tshegofatso Ramabu (two) and Jabulani Ncubeni, while Yaya Banana and Edimo Toko scored for the west Africans. Banana also struck the crossbar with a penalty.
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