WAFU U-20: Ivory Coast beat Ghana to qualify for final duel with Nigeria

A dominant Ivory Coast side defeated Ghana in Sunday’s later game from the semifinals of the WAFU Zone-B U-20 tournament at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence.

The Black Satellites had an early opener before the Ivorians pulled level to settle the encounter at 1-1 moving into the half time break in Prampram on Sunday.

A very physical Ivorian side exerted a lot of energy in the game but the Black Satellites remained resolute in defence to clear their lines effectively. The Black Satellites continuously relied on sitting back to watch the Ivorians enjoy a lion’s share of ball possession in the second half.

The Young Elephants’ pressure paid off when Ali Kone was set up in the 68th minute from outside the penalty area and his ferocious strike from a distance beat Ghana goalkeeper Gidios Aseako to peg the game at 2-1.

Ghana came close to finding the equalizer in the 72nd minute but their connection in the final third was not enough to fetch them the needed parity.

Ivory Coast per the victory have qualified for the finals without dropping a point.

Ivory Coast will now face Nigeria in the final of the tournament at the Legon Sports Stadium on June 23. Nigeria defeated Niger by 4-3 via the penalty shootouts after their match ended goalless in the first semifinal game.