The Satellites , GFA president, Sports minister and Coach Sellas Tetteh at the airport
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The Vice President His Excellency John Dramani Mahama on Saturday night welcomed new world champions, the Black Satellites of Ghana when the team arrived at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra aboard an Egypt Air flight.
Ghana thus becomes the first African team to win the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. However, the victory in Cairo was only the second Under-20 World Cup Final to be decided by a penalty shoot-out, and for the Black Satellites, it was the third time lucky as they had lost the finals in 1993 and 2001to Brazil and Argentina respectively.
The glorious national Under-20 football team arrived at the airport smartly dressed in all black suits over white shirts with each team member’s gold medal around their neck. Aside the ultimate trophy the team brought home the Golden Boot as well as the tournament’s Best Player awards won by Nowergian based Dominic Adiyiah.
They arrived with a number of sports personalities including; Sports Minister Rashid Pelpuo, GFA President Kwasi Nyantakyi amongst other management team members and officials, who were all welcomed by Vice President John Dramani Mahama.
In separate brief speeches, Kwasi Nyantakyi, captain of the side Andre Dede Ayew and Coach Sellas Tetteh (Boboor) praised Almighty God for blessing the nation with such a rare honour. They also expressed gratitude for the prayers and support of all Ghanaians and all Africans in general for standing firmly behind the team in the finals against Brazil. They also commended the government for its timely payment of bonuses and words of encouragement.
Vice President Mahama praised the team’s fighting spirit as during the final game, there were moments when all hopes seemed lost, however the team managed to give the game all their best and emerged victors at end. He assured the team of “appropriate” reward for the honour they have brought to the nation.
He said several corporate bodies have announced rewarding packages for the team and assured that the presidency with liaise with the Ghana Football Association to organize all such activities to fittingly reward their labour.
The Ghana Football Association with support from a committee set by government will organize a float for the players and the technical team to showcase the trophy on some principal streets of Accra on Monday and subsequently in other regions.
Football fans celebrate with the champions
Thousands of football fans at the airport
The Black Satellites, receive a euphoric welcome at the Kotoka International Airport by thousands of football fans amidst music and merry making after the Friday night's final with ten men but went on to beat Brazil 4-3 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes. Agyeman Badu scored the decisive penalty kick to hand the Black Satellites the win.
