Ghana finally picked a win at the 2022 Maurice Revello (formerly Toulon) tournament by beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 Stade Fernand Fournier in Arles, France Wednesday afternoon.
The victory meant the Black Satellites drew curtains to Ghana’s third-ever campaign at the popular youth competition with an 11th-place finish.
17-year-old Accra Lions midfielder Salifu Abdul Samari proved a supersub by snatching the win with a goal two minutes from time.
Hearts of oak striker Isaac Mensah gave a dominant Ghana the lead after 26 minutes following a good ball recovery and subsequent assist from captain Zubairu Ibrahim.
More powerful and technical, coach Karim Zito’s boys controlled the game till halftime break without scoring further.
In the second half, the Black Satellites continued to impose their rhythm.
However, the Green Falcons surprised the Ghanaian defense with the equalizer in the 71st minute through Jazeed Jawshan.
With the game looking to be heading straight for a penalty shootout, Salifu Samari – who had come on in the 59th minute for skipper Zubairu – delivered the long-awaited victory at the tournament to Ghana. He connected to striker Mohammed Yahaya’s cross with a firm header in the 88th minute.
With this 2-1 victory, Ghana therefore finished in eleventh place in the 48th edition of the Maurice Revello Tournament. Debutants Saudi Arabia thus also finished twelfth.
Ghana started this 12-nation tournament in Group B with a 1-0 defeat to Mexico, followed by another loss by the same scoreline to Indonesia. The Black Satellites wrapped up the group stage campaign with a 1-1 draw against Venezuela in regulation time before losing the tie 4-2 on penalties.
