By Kwame Bediako
Ghana’s Black Satellites have been placed in Group A for the inaugural WAFU A and B U-20 Boys’ Cup, set to take place this month. The tournament marks a significant milestone as the first edition of this regional competition aimed at developing young football talents in West Africa. The Black Satellites will face off against Togo, Gambia and Liberia in the group stage, all competing on home soil in Ghana.
The competition is scheduled to run from June 15 to June 30, bringing together 13 countries from the West African region. Although all 16 teams in the region were expected to participate, the focus for this first edition is on the 13 countries that confirmed their participation. The draw for the tournament was held earlier this week, allowing teams to see their opponents and prepare accordingly.
Group B will feature defending champions Nigeria, who will compete against Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger and Mali. Meanwhile, Senegal has been drawn into Group C, where they will face Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Benin. The tournament promises exciting matchups among some of the region’s most talented youth teams, with the potential for future stars to emerge on the continental stage.
All matches will be played at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, a state-of-the-art facility in Ghana. The competition will culminate with the final match scheduled to take place at the University of Ghana Stadium, providing a grand setting for the conclusion of the tournament and the crowning of the first regional U-20 champion.
This maiden edition of the WAFU U-20 Boys’ Cup is seen as a crucial step toward nurturing young footballers in West Africa, with hopes of fostering greater regional cooperation and talent development. Fans across the region are eager to see the young stars showcase their skills and make a mark in this historic tournament hosted by Ghana.
