Ghana failed to finish top of group B at the ongoing 2020 Wafu-B Under-20 Cup of Nations after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Cote d’Ivoire Saturday afternoon.
The Black Satellites’ victory – by the same margin – over Nigeria in the 3-team group was enough to hand them a semifinal placement.
Coach Karim Zito made five changes to the team that won the group opener with hopes the Satellites can preserve the top spot but the young Elephants proved tougher opponents to deal with.
The first half was balanced as the two teams possessed the game creating few goal-scoring opportunities.
Goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad produced a great save to deny Mohammed Bamba from opening the scoring for Cote d’Ivoire in the 26th minute.
The Young Elephants lifted their efforts in the second half as they kept piling pressure on the Black Satellites.
Fofana Datro, who was a thorn in the flesh of the Ghana defence, won a free-kick very close to the 18-yard box right on the hour mark.
And Issouf Dosso stepped up to expertly strike a stunning free-kick goal for Cote d’Ivoire – one which proved the match-winner.
The win means Cote d’Ivoire finish top of Group B with 4 points with Ghana dropping to second on 3 points. Nigeria got eliminated having won just a point at the end of the group stage.
The Black Satellites will now face Niger who finished top of Group A in a do-or-die battle in the semifinals on Tuesday, December 15.
The winner of this tie automatically secures one of two West Africa Zone-B tickets to the 2020 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) to be staged in Mauritania next year.
