WAFU B U20 Former Champions Black Satellites Exit in Group Stage

WAFU B U20 Former Champions Black Satellites Exit in Group Stage 

By Gbenga Gboyega

The Black Satellites drew against Cóte d'Ivoire in their 3rd group game at the ongoing West Africa Football Union (B) tournament for U-20 teams, consequently failing to progress from the Group stage after bagging 2 points, bsnsports.com reports.

The Samuel Boadu-led team failed to secure a win in three trials, after starting on a slow pace with a draw against Niger on their opening on Friday 7th July 2023 at the Robert Champroux Stadium in Abidjan, Cóte d'Ivoire.

Ghana's second game against the Burkina Babes was the defining factor in the Black Satellites' race to retain their title, losing two goals to nothing.

On Thursday, 13th of July 2023, host nation Cóte d'Ivoire held the Black Satellites to another 1-1 draw at the Stade Champroux where they played all their games, to earn only two points from three games played.

The Ghana U-20 team can draw succor from their goalkeeper - Daniel Afful, who was named the "Man of the Match" in the opening 1-1 draw against Niger.

Ofori McCarthy also bagged the "Man of the Match" award in Ghana's 1-1 draw against host nation Ivory Coast, but the individual brilliance from a few proved inefficient to earn progression to the knockout rounds.

In the other fixture at the Stade Lycée, Niger lost 2-0 to Burkina Faso as the Burkinabaes bagged all maximum points from the group stage to stroll into the knockout stages of the 2023 WAFU B U-20 competition without conceding a goal.