The stage is set for an enthralling showdown as Ghana and Nigeria, two powerhouses of women's football in West Africa, lock horns in the final of the inaugural WAFU B U20 Girls Cup.
The highly-anticipated clash will take place at the iconic Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
Both teams have displayed remarkable form en route to the final, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament.
With a history of success at the international level, Nigeria's Falconets enter the final with an edge in terms of experience. However, the spirited Black Princesses of Ghana are determined to seize the opportunity to lift the trophy on home soil.
Preview
Hosts Ghana secured their place in the final after topping Group B with victories over Benin and Ivory Coast.
Their resilient performance in the semifinal against Burkina Faso, rallying from an early setback to secure a commanding 3-1 win, showcased their character and determination.
Motivated by the support of their passionate home fans, the Black Princesses will aim to make history by clinching the title.
Nigeria, on the other hand, have been a dominant force throughout the tournament.
The Falconets cruised to the top of Group A with convincing wins over Niger, Togo, and Burkina Faso.
They continued their impressive form in the semifinals, dispatching Benin with ease in a 3-0 victory.
Scoring an astounding 19 goals while maintaining a perfect defensive record, the Falconets have exhibited exceptional quality and organization.
Key players
Flourish Sabastine and Esther Onyenezide have been instrumental in Nigeria's attacking prowess, causing havoc for opposing defenses.
However, the standout performer for the Falconets has been Esther Ajakaye, the tournament's leading goalscorer with an impressive tally of six goals.
Her clinical finishing and unwavering determination make her a formidable threat to Ghana's defence. Ajakaye will be eager to continue her scoring exploits and propel Nigeria to victory in the final.
Expectations
Nigeria enter the final as favourites, given their remarkable form and extensive international experience.
However, Ghana's head coach, Yussif Basigi, remains confident, emphasizing that football logic can often defy expectations.
What was said:
Ghana's head coach, Yussif Basigi (on Nigeria):
“We are meeting a side that hasn't conceded any goal and have scored more goals, but at times Football logic doesn't work. The permutations might not give you the right results. We couldn't convert many chances in our previous games, but we have worked on that and hopefully, we can convert them against Nigeria.”
Match details
As anticipation builds, all eyes will be on the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for the electrifying clash between Nigeria and Ghana.
The encounter promises to showcase the exceptional talent and determination of both teams. With the kickoff scheduled for 7:30 pm Nigerian time, fans across the region eagerly await the crowning of the first-ever WAFU B U20 Girls Cup champions.
