Ghana captain John Mensah is confident the country’s U20 side will excel at the Africa Youth Championship which starts in South Africa on Sunday. The Black Satellites are the title holders having conquered Africa in Rwanda two years ago before going on to win the World Cup in Egypt. Ghana will open their Group B campaign against arch rivals Nigeria on Monday before going on to play tough sides Gambia and Cameroon. In a goodwill message to the team, the captain of the Ghana’s senior national team John Mensah told the Black Satellites to emulate the 2009 team that brought success to the country. “As you begin the campaign on Monday, I wish to encourage you to maintain your focus to ensure that you replicate what your predecessors did in Rwanda and Egypt, where they won the African and World Cups respectively,” Mensah said on his official website www.johntherock5.com. “Opening games are usually difficult, more so when playing against our arch-rivals, Nigeria will make it more difficult. “But with tenacity of purpose and discipline, you can make it to the top. Go all out, and act as worthy ambassadors.” Host South Africa, Egypt, Lesotho and Mali are in Group A, whilst Ghana, Gambia, Cameroon and Nigeria make up Group B. The semi-finalists will represent the continent at the FIFA U-20 World Cup scheduled for 29 July – 20 August, 2011 in Colombia. Source: Ghanasoccernet