In fact, nine of the 22 players in the "Black Satellites'" squad had lifted the FIFA U-17 World Championship two years earlier, so their performance could only really be considered a half-surprise.

Previously in 1997, they had lost 3-2 on a golden goal to Uruguay in Extra Time of the World Cup Semi Final.

In 1999 eventual Champions Spain eliminated Ghana in the Quarter Final on sudden death penalty kicks after a 1-1 tied game.

Young boys here think about football 24 hours a day and play for at least eight – whether on clay, rough fields or dusty streets.

Otto Pfister continues; In Africa there is often only one way for many young lads to escape from poverty and to make their way up the social scale – football.

They know that in their country a national team player is a hero and enjoys a level of prestige that is not comparable to that in Europe.

Another positive point for young players in Ghana is that there are many good coaches in the country who help develop the available talent and above all want to let them play.