WAFU U-20: Ivory Coast pounce on late mistake to emerge as champions

Ivory Coast completed a perfect run on Wednesday to capture the WAFU Zone-B U-20 Boys Cup, defeating Nigeria 1-0 in the final played at the University of Accra in Ghana.

Moments after Ivory Coast substituted a goalkeeper on in preparation for a penalty kick shootout, an early free kick was spilled by Nigeria keeper Ebenezer Harcourt and Zakaria Tindano reacted quickly to fire in the match winner in the third minute of second half stoppage time.

Both teams had opportunities in the preceding ninety minutes but the Ivorian team gradually increased their level while restricting chances for their Flying Eagle counterparts. Harcourt was the hero earlier on around the hour mark when he denied the Ivorians multiple times in quick succession to keep the game scoreless.

But just when the match appeared set for a penalty shootout, it was Tindano who struck for his third goal of the tournament to give Les Éléphanteaux the victory. Ivory Coast won all five of their games and consistently looked like the strongest team in the tournament under coach Younes Zerdouk with standout performances from Tindano, right flank player Goudouss Bamba and Kader Yaya Tapé.

Earlier on Wednesday, Ghana claimed third place after defeating Niger 2-0.