The Black Starlets of Ghana have now cruised into the final of the 2025 WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship after a precious 2-0 win over eternal rivals Nigeria in the second semi-final.
Host Ivory Coast in the first semi-final edged Burkina Faso by 2-1 in what was a very fascinating encounter, also at the Stade Charles Konan Banny Stadium.
The Golden Eaglets started on a good note and nearly scored in seconds from kickoff. After a very smooth build-up, the Nigerians went wide and a huge miscommunication in the Ghanaian back line nearly saw them concede in the early stages.
Despite the incessant pressure from the Nigerians at the start, the Black Starlets put their pieces together and settled down which eventually got them the opener in the 21st minute courtesy Michael Awuli.
Exactly ten minutes later, Robinho Yao Gavi doubled the lead with a very beautiful finish after fending off few markers to strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
In the second half, the Nigerians bounced stronger and looked very determined this time around having pushed more men in attack and fired from all cylinders in search of the equalizer.
The Starlets however looked very disciplined and resolute in defense and ensured they committed less mistakes which really helped them to curb all attacks that were mounted on them.
It finished 2-0 for Ghana after full-time and have now advanced to the final of the competition and will face host Côte d’Ivoire in the final.
The Black Starlrts have now punched their ticket to the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations which will be held next year in Morocco.
