Ghana’s Black Satellites begin their FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign against Uzbekistan at the Ismaila Stadium on Saturday as the African champions with credentials strong enough to mark them out among the early favourites. As they begin a global campaign in search of a youth title that will be a holy grail for any African, Ghana hopes to make a remarkable start of claiming the title that has proven an elusive prize despite many times getting so close and yet so far from the ultimate. The Satellites carry a realistic hope into tomorrow’s game judging from the pedigree of both sides and the fact that it will be the Black Satellites’ fifth attempt at the finals with the last time at 2001 Argentina eight years ago when they finished runners-up to the host. Often slow starters of the tournament, the team is expected to dominate with players like Ransford Osei, best player at the African Youth Championship in Rwanda and top goal scorer anticipated to explode against an Uzbekistan side whose qualification for Egypt 2009 is beyond an overnight success. The African Champions will come up against a team that is a product of hard work stretching back to 2002, when the country began its identification of players capable of flourishing in the future; after a prolonged period of hard work from the coaches and the players themselves and the rewards are beginning to come onto the international stage and their zeal will be tested against Ghana. The West Asians qualified for Egypt in dramatic style, overcoming China in a penalty shoot-out in the quarter finals of the AFC U-19 Championship, despite having goalkeeper Doniyorjon Usmonov dismissed in the final minutes of extra time, leaving full-back Murod Khalmukhamedov to face a penalty-shoot-out and against Ghana, Coach Akhmad Ubaydullaev’s hope is that heroism would once again be on display. However against a Ghanaian side that yearns for a brilliant start to a group that includes England and Uruguay, the Satellites parading players like Captian Andre Ayew, Jonathan Mensah and Rabiu Mohammed among others will start as the favourites. Just joining the team this afternoon is versatile Samuel Nkoom and even though he is expected to add another dimension into the team’s strength, without him, the Satellites could still be counted on. In a unifying mood, the players reckon a good start will come in handy as the clarion cry remains, now is the time to make it. Source: GNA