WAFU-B U-20: Nigeria and Ivory Coast meet again in the final

The grand final of the WAFU Zone B U-20 tournament will be played this Wednesday with a duel between Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. The two teams know each other well, having been in the same group during the last U-20 qualifying tournament in Lomé in 2024, and have also faced each other in a friendly double-header.

Nigeria, impressively consistent since the start of the tournament, qualified for the final by eliminating Niger thanks to a solid and well-controlled performance. The Flying Eagles displayed unwavering determination. They will be keen to reclaim the regional crown, for which they are considered the top contenders. “We want to be champions. It will be a good match, and we are motivated to approach it,” said Nigeria’s Ebenezer Ifeanyi Harcourt.

But on the other side, Côte d’Ivoire is no slouch. The Elephants have shown resilience, character, and excellent technical skill throughout the competition. According to Aliyu Zubairu, head coach of the Flying Eagles, this match will be particularly intense, given the past encounters between the two teams.

“I think it will be a match between two nations that know each other well when it comes to U20 football. We’ve faced each other many times. During the U20 AFCON qualifiers in Togo, we were in the same group. We then traveled to their home country for a double-header friendly. We beat them 2-0 in the first leg. In the second leg, they inflicted the same score on us. It will be an explosive final,” he promised.

In the semifinals, the Elephants dominated Ghana with authority. Their collective strength, their ability to respond to weak moments with intensity, and their eye for goal make them a formidable opponent. Undefeated since the start of the tournament, they want to finish what they started.

In the opening match, Niger and Ghana will face off for third place. A crucial encounter for two teams that have shone intermittently. Niger, which has long believed in a place in the final, will try to finish on a high note. As for Ghana, it’s a matter of honor for a country that always strives for excellence in youth competitions.

Matches:

Third-Place Match
Niger vs. Ghana: 3 p.m. GMT

Final
Nigeria vs. Côte d’Ivoire: 7 p.m. GMT

All matches will take place at the Accra University Stadium.