Satellites vow to cage Benin again

Black Satellites coach, Jimmy Cobblah, says his side will be ready to deal with any threat by the Young Squirrels of Benin when they clash in Cotonou in the second leg of the Africa Youth Championship final qualifier on Sunday.

Coach Cobblah, whose side go into the return leg with a two-goal advantage following an emphatic a 3-1 win at the Cape Coast Stadium last Saturday, believes the team will be ready to keep their opponents at bay but cautioned his boys against being complacent, despite having an advantage, to qualify for the next continental championship in Niger next year.

A brace by Richard Danso and one by the captain, Issahaku Konda, secured a deserved comeback win the national U-20 side after Saliou Allagbani had given the visiting side the lead in the 28th minute.

The goal unsettled and frustrated the Satellites throughout the first half but a tactical change by Coach Cobblah, which saw him introduce Liberty Professionals’ Elvis Kyei Barfour at the start of the second half, ensured a spirited performance to win the day.

In an interview with the Graphic Sports, the coach admitted his side struggled in the first half but blamed it on their haste to score an early goal.

He praised the Beninois for a good performance and said he anticipated a fierce battle between the two sides when they slugged it out in the second leg on Sunday.

"We anticipate a more attacking side in the second leg because they will be playing at home and we don't want to have a perception that they will be playing the same way they did here.

"I have to admit that we played against a very good side but we will be ready to deal with any threat they will pose to us at their home ground.

"The tie, to me, is still open, despite we having a two-goal lead, and I think this is the time for us to work harder to ensure we pick a positive result from them and go through," Coach Cobblah said.