Black Satellites to kick off WAFU U-20 Cup in high-stakes derby

The stage is set for a fiery West African derby as Ghana’s U-20 men’s team, the Black Satellites, prepare to take on arch-rivals Nigeria in the opening match of the 2025 WAFU Zone B U-20 Cup of Nations.

The highly anticipated clash will kick off at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram on 10 July.

Group A Battle: Ghana, Nigeria, and Benin vie for semifinal spots

Drawn in Group A, hosts Ghana will not only face Nigeria but also Benin in a tight race for the two semifinal places.

The top teams will advance to face the best from Group B, which includes heavyweights Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Togo.

After the Nigeria showdown, the Black Satellites will play Benin on 16 July, again at Prampram’s Ghanaman Centre.

The tournament will culminate in the final on 23 July at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra, where a new champion will be crowned.

A pathway to continental glory

The WAFU Zone B U-20 Cup of Nations is a crucial stepping stone for Africa’s next generation of football stars, offering a direct route to the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

For Ghana, victory would mark a triumphant return to dominance after their last win in 2020, when they defeated Burkina Faso 2-1 in Lomé, Togo.

Why was the tournament rescheduled?

Originally slated for 15-30 June, the competition was delayed after WAFU Zone A nations – initially part of the event – failed to meet organisational deadlines.

The reshaped tournament now features only Zone B teams, ensuring a fiercely competitive showcase of West Africa’s brightest young talents.

What’s next for Ghana’s Black Satellites?

With home advantage and a passionate fanbase behind them, Ghana’s U-20s will be eager to start strong against Nigeria.

Will they repeat their 2020 success, or will a rival nation rise to the occasion?