Ghana lost 2-1 to defending champions, Nigeria, in the final of the 2024 WAFU B U20 Championship in Togo on Wednesday at the Stade de Kegue in Lome.
A first half brace from Kparabo Arieri propelled the Flying Eagles to victory and ensured the successful defence of the title they won two years ago.
He struck the double to give Nigeria a 2-0 lead in the first half before Jerry Afriyie pulled a goal back for Ghana 15 minutes to regulation time to set up a tensed finish.
Afriyie, who has been a standout performer throughout the tournament, increased his tally to five goals, but his effort wasn’t enough to secure victory in the final.
The talented Ghanaian forward was crowned the Most Valuable Player of the Championship and also won the Golden boot award with five goals in five matches. The Nigerian held on to secure victory despite several effort by Ghana to pull parity as the two West African giants book a place at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations next year.
The Black Satellites put up a spirited second half display and will feel unlucky after missing several chances in the second half against the Nigerians.
The 2025 U20 AFCON will also serve as the African qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, where the four semi-finalists will qualify automatically.
Head Coach of the Ghana team, Coach Ofei, is all praises for the team for being resilient and purposeful to qualify Ghana to the AFCON again.
“Losing nine key players who were crucial to our success at the African Games was a significant blow. But this allowed us to build a new core of young talent, and these boys have stepped up tremendously. They deserve this qualification just as much as anyone else.”
“Qualifying for the U-20 AFCON is a huge achievement for us, especially considering the circumstances. This team faced many challenges, but their determination and commitment have been incredible. I’m proud of each and every one of them.”
The qualification serves as a testament to the dedication and adaptability of both the players and coaching staff, and justifies Ghana’s continued commitment to youth football development despite setbacks. –Ghanafa.org
Source:
ghanaiantimes.com.gh
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