By 2025 WAFU B U20
Ivory Coast edge Nigeria to win title in dramatic final
Summary
- Zakaria Tindano scores stoppage-time winner to hand Young Elephants 1–0 victory over Flying Eagles
- Ivory Coast defend WAFU Zone B U20 Championship title with flawless five-match winning streak
- Both teams qualify for FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile despite final result
Prampram, Ghana — Ivory Coast’s U20 team, the Young Elephants, retained their WAFU Zone B U20 Championship crown with a narrow 1–0 victory over Nigeria’s Flying Eagles in the final played on July 23, 2025, at the University of Ghana Stadium in Prampram.
The match was tightly contested until stoppage time when Zakaria Tindano pounced on a goalkeeping blunder by Nigeria’s Ebenezer Harcourt in the 92nd minute (90+2′) to seal a dramatic win for the Ivorians.
The defending champions completed the tournament with a perfect record, winning all five matches. Their dominant run included victories over Burkina Faso (2–1), Niger (1–0), Togo (2–0), host nation Ghana (2–1) in the semi-finals, and finally Nigeria. The result cements Ivory Coast’s status as the top youth football side in West Africa’s Zone B.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles had shown strong form throughout the tournament. They drew 1–1 with Ghana in the group stage, routed Benin 4–1, and advanced to the final after a tense semi-final against Niger, which they won 4–3 on penalties following a goalless draw. However, their hopes of lifting the trophy were dashed by a costly lapse in the dying minutes of the final.
Despite the loss, Nigeria joined Ivory Coast in securing one of the region’s two qualification slots for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, a reward for reaching the semi-finals.
Ivory Coast’s performance has drawn praise for its consistency, composure, and tactical discipline. With five wins from five, they were the only unbeaten side in the tournament and have now claimed back-to-back WAFU B titles, a testament to the success of their youth development pipeline.
Head coach and football analysts credited the squad’s unity and resilience, particularly in high-pressure moments such as the final, where they managed to capitalise on a rare opportunity.
The Young Elephants and Flying Eagles will now turn their attention to preparing for the global stage in Chile, where they will represent West Africa at the U20 World Cup.
