WAFU CUP: Ivory Coast beat Black Satellites to top group

Ghana U20 team suffered defeat against Ivory Coast in their final group stage match in the ongoing WAFU Nations Cup being hosted by Benin.

West African neighbours inflicted a painful 1-0 defeat on Ghana in the last group fixture at Stade de Gaules in Porto-Novo on Saturday.

The final Group B encounter saw Satellites coach, Karim Zito effecting five changes to the squad that defeated Nigeria 1-0 in their first game.

It was an even game in the first half as both teams cancelled each other out with a lot of action in the middle of the park with little goalmouth action except the odd one.

Ghana goalie Danlad Ibrahim pulled off a smart save to deny Mohammed Bamba from opening the scores just before half time break.

The Black Satellite attack caused all sorts of problems for the Ivorians but lacked the finishing touch.

After the break, the Ivorians regrouped and were causing all the problems for the Ghana backline.

Fofana Datro who was a thorn in the flesh of the Ghana defence won a free-kick very close to the 18-yard box in the 60th minute.

Issouf Dosso stepped up and scored the only goal for the Ivorians with a stunning strike from the free-kick.

Ivory Coast top the group with 4 points followed by Ghana with 3 points as Nigeria exit the tournament with just a point.

The Black Satellites will now face Niger in the semi-finals on Tuesday 15th December and would need a win to book their place at the 2021 Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Mauritania.

The four semi-finalists at the African gathering will, in turn, be rewarded with tickets to represent the continent at the World Cup in Indonesia.