Ghana will take on Nigeria today in the final of the WAFU Zone B Under-20 Championships, set for 7 p.m. at Stade de Kégué in Lome.
Although both teams have already qualified for next year’s U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, the match-up between two of West Africa’s football giants carries high stakes, with a regional title and bragging rights on the line.
The Black Satellites advanced to the final after finishing top of their group with draws against Togo (1-1) and Benin (2-2) and a 2-0 victory over Niger, followed by a spirited 2-1 comeback win over Côte d’Ivoire in the semifinals.
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria, despite a slow start in the Championship, have gained momentum on their path to the final.
They began with a 1-0 loss to Burkina Faso, rebounded with a 2-1 win over Côte d’Ivoire to reach the semifinals, and then came from behind to defeat the Junior Menas of Niger 3-1, setting up a classic showdown against their longtime rivals, Ghana.
The Black Satellites are eager to reclaim the title from Nigeria, the reigning champions, in what is expected to be an exciting final on Wednesday, October 30 in Lomé.
The WAFU B U20 Championship also doubles as a qualification pathway for the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations, with Ghana and Nigeria securing the two available spots.
The 2025 U20 AFCON will, in turn, serve as the African qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, where the top four teams will automatically earn their place.
The Black Satellites last claimed the U-20 AFCON title in 2021 under former coach Abdul Karim Zito.
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