Seven nations participated in the 2023 WAFU-Zone B U-20 Women’s Cup and now the inaugural edition of the competition is left with two rivals competing for the title in Kumasi, Ghana. Hosts Ghana will meet Nigeria in the final on Saturday after both teams secured comfortable semifinal victories over Burkina Faso and Benin respectively. Ghana defeated the Burkinabé team by a 3-1 score while Nigeria left little doubt with a 3-0 defeat of Benin.
It was an ominous start for the Black Princesses of Ghana after they went down to an early goal from a clever finish by Burkina Faso’s Ragnangnewende Djiguemde. Stella Nyamekye’s free kick was spilled into the goal by the Burkinabé goalkeeper for a quick response from the hosts before Success Ameyaa put Ghana ahead with a hard shot. In the second half, Burkina Faso had a chance to level from the penalty spot in the 79th minute but Ghana keeper Afi Amenyeku came up with an important save to set the stage for Faiza Seidu to put the Black Princesses beyond reach soon after.
African women’s footballing powerhouse Nigeria had no close call with Benin in the later match on Wednesday. Amina Bello put the Falconets ahead in the 24th minute and Esther Onyenezide scored twice in a routine victory for the Nigerian team. Onyenezide is the competition’s leading scorer following the result and expectations will be high for the Falconets when they meet the hosts in the final.
Highlights from both semifinal matches are below.
Scores
Semifinals
Ghana 3-1 Burkina Faso
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
Highlights
Ghana 3-1 Burkina Faso
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
