The 2024 WAFU-B U20 Championship kicked off in Lomé, Togo, on Thursday, October 17, with exciting opening day encounters at the Kégué and Municipal stadiums, Kennedy Ugbodaga of Platinumnewwsng.com reports.
This competition serves as the qualifying tournament for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with two finalist teams set to book their tickets to the continental age grade tournament.
Group A: Dramatic Opening Day Results
Togo 2-2 Niger: Aminou Tchadjobo Shines for the Hosts
In the opening fixture, hosts Togo battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw against Niger in front of their home fans. Togo started brightly and seemed determined to make a statement in their first outing, but Niger matched their intensity and composure.
The match took a dramatic turn when Togo were reduced to 10 men late in the game. Despite the numerical advantage, Niger failed to capitalize, with Togo’s Aminou Tchadjobo delivering a commanding performance that earned him the Player of the Match award.
Ghana 2-2 Benin: Black Satellites Strike Late
In the other Group A fixture, Ghana’s Black Satellites escaped with a 2-2 draw against Benin Republic, thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time penalty. Jerry Afriyie gave Ghana the lead in the 14th minute, raising hopes of an opening day win. However, Benin responded swiftly through Modeste Konoudji, who found the net in the 27th minute. Gabriel Moulero added a second goal for Benin before halftime, putting the team in control with a 2-1 lead. With the match slipping away, Afriyie held his nerve to convert a 95th-minute penalty, securing a vital point for Ghana.
Group A Standings
After the first round of matches, all four teams in Group A – Togo, Niger, Ghana, and Benin – are level on one point each.
Upcoming Fixtures
Togo vs Benin – Sunday, October 20
Ghana vs Niger – Sunday, October 20
With the group stage running from October 17 to October 24, teams will need to capitalize on every opportunity to stay in contention for the semi-finals.
A total of 13 matches will be played across the Kégué Stadium and the Municipal Stadium in Lomé. The semi-finals are scheduled for October 26, followed by the third-place classification match on October 29. The grand finale will take place on October 30. The two teams that reach the final will qualify for the U20 AFCON, representing the WAFU B region.
Photo Credit: Kennedy Ugbodaga