Flying Eagles coach, Samson Siasia feels the Black satellites of Ghana can't win the final match tonight, as they play the South Americans, saying the latter are more likely to win the title.
The Ghanaians are hoping to become the first African team to win the competition, but Siasia claims the Brazilians are superior to our West African neighbours, with his comments igniting resentment from the country's media.
"The match between Ghana and Brazil would be a difficult game. Personally, I will give it to Brazil to win the trophy," Siasia said, according to a report on Ghanasoccernet website.
But our U-20 coach was quick to play down on the significance of his comment by claiming he still wants Ghana to clinch the trophy after all.
"My heart goes to Ghana. I want Ghana to win because they are the only remaining African representative in the tournament. I have told them to make Africa proud by beating Brazil."
Brotherly support
But South Africa's U-20 national team captain, Ramahlwe Mphalele disagrees with Siasia, insisting the Black Satellites are the most impressive team in Egypt. Ghana eliminated South Africa in the round of 16 in Ismaila.
"Ghana remains the best team in the tournament. They are a quality side, who have stamina and run the whole 90 minutes," said the Amajita captain in an interview with a sports news website.
Mphalele added: "We are the only side that forced them to extra-time. I spoke to them after they beat us and told them that they remain our hope to win the Cup for Africa. I am happy that they have done well and qualified for the final. I don't see Brazil stopping them and we wish them all the best in the Final."
Black Satellites' striker
Dominic Adiyiah is the tournament's top scorer with eight goals and his partner in the attack, Ransford Osei has netted four. The duo's efforts have been greatly complemented by the creativity of Captain Andre Ayew, son of Ghana's football legend Abedi Pele. The left-footed youngster also scored twice in the competition but there are concerns over his fitness ahead of tonight's encounter.
Ghana will also be hoping for revenge after four-time champions, Brazil defeated them in the final of the 1993 edition of the competition in Australia.
Confidence
Ghana's coach Sellas Tetteh believes his side has the right motivation ahead of this game after his team's hard-fought 3-2 win over Hungary in the semi finals.
"What matters isn't just that we're in the final, but that we got there, thanks to a great victory. We're not surprised by our performance because we played really well in the qualifying competition in Rwanda and we've had continuity and consistency here. We're 90 minutes away from lifting the trophy," Tetteh told FIFA.com.
Brazil triumphed in their semi-final by a similarly slender margin, overcoming Costa Rica 1-0 via a 67th-minute volley from centre-forward Alan Kardec. Rogerio Lourenco's charges will now seek to capture the trophy for the first time since their 2003 triumph in the United Arab Emirates.
Kardec and Alkex Teixeira will lead the goal scoring charge for the Brazilians, having accounted for half of the team's 14 goals in the competition.
"Above all, I'm delighted that the players have achieved our goal of reaching the final," Lourenco said. "They must be congratulated, as getting through six matches in a row is no easy feat. I know we didn't play well, but what mattered was reaching the final, nothing else."
Loser's game
Hungary will play Costa Rica in the third-place match today, with the Central American's coach, Ronald Gomez vowing to go all-out for victory. "We treat each match in this tournament the same, and that has enabled us to get this far," he said.
"We will spare no effort to win third place. I will give all I have to win this game. It will be a great feeling to return to our country having won our final match."
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