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Niger and Côte d’Ivoire Reach WAFU-B Final, Qualify for U-17 AFCON

Posted : 21 October 2026

The semi-final victories secured both teams places in the continental competition and set up a showdown for the regional title. Côte d’Ivoire defeated Ghana 1-0 at the August 4 Stadium in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, with Alex Fousseni Bamba scoring the decisive goal in the 76th minute.

Ghana faced a major setback in the 17th minute when defender Daniel Owusu received a straight red card. Despite playing with 10 men for most of the match, the Black Starlets created chances but could not find an equaliser. Head coach Kassim Ocansey described the defeat as painful, saying his team had been in control before the dismissal.

Niger also secured its place in the final after a 1-0 victory over hosts Burkina Faso. The Young Mena entered the knockout stage with confidence after topping Group B with four points from two matches. They had drawn 1-1 with Côte d’Ivoire before defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the group phase.

The results ended Ghana’s and Burkina Faso’s hopes of winning the regional championship. For Niger, reaching the final represents a major achievement after a strong group-stage campaign. Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, will look to build on its experience and maintain its standing among the region’s leading youth football nations.

Both finalists have now secured qualification for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The continental tournament will provide another test for the teams as they compete against the best young footballers from across Africa.

The WAFU Zone B final will offer Niger and Côte d’Ivoire an opportunity to complete their successful campaigns with the regional trophy. Their progress also highlights the importance of youth competitions in developing players and preparing them for the demands of senior international football.

 

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