Ghana's record questioned

The Satellites lost the African title in a shock defeat to Angola

Durosimi Thomas, who will be in Argentina covering the Under-20 World Cup for BBC Sport Online assesses the chances of Ghana.

Ghana's 'Satellites' have had the best record of any African team over the past decade in youth competitions.

This is the third time they have qualified for the World Youth Championships since 1993 when they lost in the final to Brazil on their first appearance.

The Satellites were the hot favorites at the African Under-20 Championships in Ethiopia, but they only picked up the silver medal as they were shocked by Angola in a 2-0 defeat in the final.

  Group F

Ghana

France

Paraguay

Iran

Preparations for Argentina 2001 have not been going according to plan, even following a 1-0 defeat by the Cape Verde senior side in the WAFU Cup.

A tour of Germany took off very late, because of financial reasons, though they still managed to play a string of friendlies against local sides and drew 1-1 against the German Under-20 team.

There has also been controversy in Ghana as four key players who were in Ethiopia have been dropped, after the football authorities decided not to select first division team regulars.

Less talented

However they have called up foreign based players such as Derrick Boateng (Panathinaikos/Greece), Razak Pinpong (Midtylland/Denmark) and Sulley Muntari who is being chased by English champions Manchester United.

Striker Ishmael Addo was one of the home-based players controversially axed

This generation of Ghanaian Under-20s is considered to be less talented than its predecessors.

They are accused of lacking fighting spirit and being less skillful as individuals.

Coach Emmanuel Afranie has never won any trophy as coach of Ghanaian youth national teams.

He told the BBC: "I have faith in my players. Even if we don't perform well in African championships, we are always the best of African teams on the world stage."

Back home, fans think the Satellites will not go far in the competition because of the troubled preparation, and they face tough opposition in France, Iran and Paraguay.

The French junior team emulated the world champion senior side by winning the European Youth Championships last year while Paraguay were very impressive in the South American event, and will be close to home.