WAFU B U-20 Boys Cup: Ghana in must-win situation against hosts following Burkina loss
The Black Satellites of Ghana must defeat host nation Cote d'Ivoire in their final group game of the ongoing WAFU B U-20 Boys Cup on Thursday to stand a chance of progressing to the semi-final of the competition.
This follows their disappointing 0-2 loss to the Young Stallions of Burkina Faso on Monday at the Robert Champroux Stadium in Abidjan which saw the Burkinabè become the first side to qualify from Group A for the semi-finals of the competition.
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Young Stallions pair Abdoul Ouattara and Libo Ismaël Seone who scored in the 11th and 74th minutes respectively were the architects of the Satellites' loss.
The results left the Black Satellites on the verge of exiting the competition following their opening round draw 1-1 against Niger and coach Samuel Boadu's lads must now defeat the Ivorians and rely on the Burkinabè defeat Niger to guarantee progression.
Match
The Burkinabè did not give the Ghanaians time to settle as they multiplied their attacks from the flanks that created problems for their opponents.
Before the quarter hour, these efforts paid off thanks to Abdoul Ouattara who took advantage of a great opportunity for the Burkinabes.
Forced to seek the equaliser, the Ghanaians threw themselves into battle and with all their might they attacked continuously but the determined Stallions withstood the pressure.
In the last quarter of an hour, Libo Ismael Seone took advantage of a loss of possession in the middle of the field before the Burkinabe player crucified the Ghanaian goalkeeper.
The results sent Burkina Faso to the last four while Ghana have to win their last match against hosts Cote d'Ivoire to stand any chance of advancing from the group.
Meanwhile, Cote d'Ivoire U-20 national team, known as the Baby Elephants, redeemed themselves after their defeat against Burkina Faso by securing a resounding 4-1 victory over Niger on the second day of the group stages in the WAFU-B U20 Boys Cup tournament.