Nigeria and Ghana clinched their places in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following impressive semi-final victories in the WAFU B qualifying championship on Sunday. 

Ghana edged Cote d’Ivoire with a resilient 2-1 comeback, while Nigeria overpowered Niger Republic 3-1 to set up a highly anticipated final between the two West African rivals.

Ghana’s Black Satellites faced early challenges against the Baby Elephants, conceding in the 18th minute when Loukou Jaures took advantage of a defensive lapse to put the Ivorians ahead.

  Struggling to regain control, Ghana entered halftime trailing but returned with renewed vigour.

In the 47th minute, relentless pressure from Ghana forced an own goal from the Ivorian defence, levelling the score at 1-1.

With momentum shifting in their favour, Ghana pressed for a winner. Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute as forward Jerry Afriyie won a penalty after a decisive run into the box.

Calmly stepping up, Afriyie converted, giving Ghana a 2-1 lead and ultimately securing their U-20 AFCON spot.

Afriyie’s match-winning goal earned him Man of the Match, marking a pivotal moment in Ghana’s qualification journey.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles battled through a spirited performance from Niger.

Although Niger took an early lead in the 10th minute, Nigeria responded strongly.

A 35th-minute equalizer revived the Flying Eagles, and they continued to press, breaking through Niger’s defence in the second half to go up 2-1.

Niger’s attempts to counter left gaps at the back, which Nigeria exploited to extend their lead to 3-1, ensuring their spot in both the WAFU-B final and the U-20 AFCON.

As the final whistle sounded, Nigeria celebrated a hard-earned victory, joining Ghana in the tournament final set for October 30, 2024, in a clash between two of West Africa’s football powerhouses.

Nigeria came from behind to edge a flaming battle with Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in Lome on Thursday to reach the semi-finals of this year’s WAFU B U20 Championship.

In the event, Burkina Faso’s Young Etalons were eliminated on inferior goal-count against those of the Flying Eagles and the Young Elephants. Nigeria scored two goals and conceded two, same for the Ivorians, with all three teams in group B finishing with three points each. The Burkinabes scored one and conceded one, in beating Nigeria and losing to the Ivorians, by the odd goal each way.

Victory handed Aliyu Zubair’s side the opportunity to continue chasing the defence of their title, won in Niamey two years ago.

A feisty first half at the Municipal Stadium ended scoreless. Bidemi Amole’s hopeful shot from distance sailed wide, while striker Kparobo’s powerful shot was pushed out for a corner by the Ivorian goalkeeper.

In the 39^th minute, Nigeria’s appeal for a penalty was rejected by the referee. As the first half drew to a close, the Flying Eagles continued to press, with Amole’s effort crashing against the crossbar.

The second half witnessed increased urgency from the Flying Eagles. Côte d’Ivoire’s effort was chalked off in the 48^th minute, and Nigeria’s striker Kparobo was denied by the goalkeeper in the 53^rd minute. Amole, again, came close soon after.

The Ivorians finally broke the deadlock in the 62^nd minute, but Clinton Jephta equalized for Nigeria shortly after. Kparobo Arierhi scored the winning goal, securing a 2-1 win for the Flying Eagles.

“We showed resilience and determination,” said Coach Aliyu Zubairu, “We’re delighted with the victory and look forward to the semi-finals.”

Nigeria will take on Niger Republic in Saturday’s semi-finals.

Cup holders Nigeria know they must attain a different shape and be at their very best when they confront the Young Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday if they are not to exit this year’s WAFU B U20 Championship at the group stage.

The seven-time African champions fell by a lone goal to Burkina Faso’s Young Etalons on Friday and their route to the last four has been made tougher by the Etalons’ lone-goal reverse against the Elephants two days ago.

The intricacies of a three-team group have fully come to the fore, with each team having to play only two matches, and a single loss meaning that a team could be on the way out of a tournament.

With the Ivorians and the Burkinabes tied at the top of the pile, Nigeria must win by two clear goals against the Ivorians to be sure of a place in the semi-finals, and the opportunity to keep pushing to defend her crown.

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who watched the Flying Eagles lose to a second-half goal on Friday, expressed hope that the team re-invents itself and delivers the goods against the Ivorians.

“I am not happy about the result. We expected a win and the three points, particularly as they are in a three-team group which can be delicate. However, I believe the coaches and the players will sit up and come up with a strategy to overcome the Ivorians.

“Nigerians are expecting so much from the team. As defending champions, it will not be good for us not to qualify for the U20 AFCON, having reached the quarter-finals at the FIFA World Cup last year.”

Thursday’s encounter at the Municipal Stadium, Lome will commence at 4pm Nigeria time.