2009 was a year that heralded a time of optimism and the joy of feeling like global winners.

In 2009, the "golden team" swept to victory, first dominating Africa and then the entire world before defeating Brazil in the championship game.

In Cairo, Egypt, Andre Dede Ayew emerged from the shadow of his illustrious father, Abedi Pele, to help Ghana win its sole U-20 World Cup championship.

The team's adventure began with the preliminary qualifications, where they defeated Angola and the Gambia to qualify for the 2009 Africa Youth Championship in Rwanda.

Stunning Rwanda and qualifying to the semi-finals

The Black Satellites needed a victory to clinch first place and advance to the tournament's second round after defeating Mali in the first game and drawing 1-1 with Cameroon on the first day.

Ransford Osei beat Rwanda admirably to secure a date with South Africa in the semifinals.

Ransford Osei of Ghana led the competition in goals scored at this stage with three.

Goal Frenzy vs South Africa

One of the team's standout assets was its offensive threat; prior to the semifinal match, they had scored five goals.

Ghana prevailed in the goal-fest contest, with the score ending 4-3 in favor of the West Africans.

Osei scored twice, while Dominic Adiyah and Andre Ayew both scored one.

South Africa battled back from a 3-1 deficit to nearly force extra time, giving the Satellites a tense finale to the encounter.

Rematch against the Young Lions

Cameroon saw off Nigeria in the other semi-final clash with a 2-0 victory to set up a rematch with Ghana after both teams drew 1-1 in the group stages.

Striker Ransford Osei was again the difference as Ghana lifted their third Africa Youth Championship title.

His brace ensured a 2-0 victory against the Central Africans in Kigali, which put them through to the FIFA U-20 World Cup as champions of Africa.

Adiyiah of Ghana (2nd L) celebrates his goal against England with team mates during their FIFA U-20 World Cup group D soccer match in Ismailia September 29, 2009. REUTERS/Marko Djurica (EGYPT SPORT SOCCER)

The World Cup, Egypt 2009

The third FIFA U-20 globe Cup, which was created in Africa for the rest of the globe, was held there in 2009.

As champions from the six confederations, the United Arab Emirates, Costa Rica, Ghana, Brazil, Tahiti, and Germany took part in the competition.

A total of 24 nations traveled to Egypt to compete for honor and glory.

Group D and the clash with Uruguay

On the back of their success in Rwanda, the Black Satellites were placed in Group D to face the likes of Uzbekistan, who entered the championship as runners-up in the Asian U-19 Championship.

England and then Uruguay completed the group.

Ghana kick-started the tournament with a 2-1 victory against Uzbekistan and then went on to demolish the Young Three Lions by 4-0, with Dominic Adiyiah stealing the show with his brace.

A draw or win against Uruguay was all Ghana needed to top the group, but a defeat would have meant a tougher opponent in the round of 16.

The Black Satellites took a two-goal lead, but a spirited Uruguayan side fired two goals to salvage a draw.

South Africa again and the challenge from Asia

Topping Group D, Ghana was drawn against African compatriots, South Africa, a team they beat 4-3 in the African Youth Championship months earlier in Rwanda.SUEZ, EGYPT – OCTOBER 09: Dominic Adiyiah of Ghana scores the opening goal past Kim Seung Gyu of Korea Republic during the FIFA U20 World Cup Quarter Final match between Korea Republic and Ghana at the Mubarak Stadium on October 9, 2009 in Suez, Egypt. (Photo by Alex Livesey – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The West African side emerged victorious yet again, with Adiyiah on the mark, netting his fourth goal of the competition in extra time after the game ended 1-1 in regular time.

Ghana then dispatched South Korea 3-2, highlighted by another brace from Adiyiah. The then Heart of Lions striker was on fire.

The clash with Hungary

Ghana now had only the European side, Hungary, between them and the final game.

The Black Satellites beat Hungary 3-2, with Dominic Adiyiah again hitting a brace, his third of the campaign and his eighth goal overall.

The dramatic finale against Brazil

Thirty-seven minutes into the game, Daniel Addo was sent off, giving Brazil a man advantage.

Ghana repelled the Brazilians and their sharp attack and held on to a goalless game in regular time and subsequently in extra time.

The game was settled on penalties as Ghana triumphed against the South American giants.

Andre Ayew and Samuel Inkoom converted their spot-kicks before Jonathan Mensah and Bright Addae missed theirs.

Although Alan Kardec, Douglas Costa, and Giuliano made the most of their penalties, Daniel Adjei saved from Souza and Alex Teixeira, with Maicon missing his as well.

Ghana had the advantage now after the top scorer of the tournament, Dominic Adiyiah scored his penalty kick, and it was down to Emmanuel Agyemang Badu to settle the match.

And he did with a calm head amidst enormous pressure from a packed-to-capacity crowd inside the Cairo International Stadium.

With a jog, a stutter, and a clean stroke of the ball past a rooted Rafael in goal for Brazil, Agyemang Badu gave Ghana and the rest of Africa boundless joy.CAIRO, EGYPT – OCTOBER 16: Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu of Ghana scores the winning penalty during a penalty shoot out against Brazil in the FIFA U20 World Cup Final between Ghana and Brazil at the Cairo International Stadium on October 16, 2009 in Cairo, Egypt. (Photo by Alex Livesey – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The Black Satellites were the new kings of youth football in the world, and the trophy completed a unique treble that included the West African and African titles won earlier that year.

The Dominic Adiyiah World Cup

Ghanaian striker Dominic Adiyiah had an amazing World Cup, scoring eight goals in the tournament.

He picked up both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball Awards, the awards given to the top scorer and the best player in the competition.CAIRO, EGYPT – OCTOBER 16: Dominic Adiyiah of Ghana wins the adidas Golden Ball Award for outstanding player of the competition, Alex Teixeira of Brazil wins the adidas Silver Ball and Giuliano of Brazil wins the adidas Bronze Ball after the FIFA U20 World Cup Final between Ghana and Brazil at the Cairo International Stadium on October 16, 2009 in Cairo, Egypt. (Photo by Alex Livesey – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The triumph fourteen years ago, to this day, remains the only time an African team has ever won the FIFA U-20 World Cup. It’s a special achievement that Ghana, befittingly, has beautifully etched into the history books.