Ghana set for Burkina Faso semis showdown in WAFU B U-17 AFCON qualifier

Ghana's Black Starlets will face Burkina Faso in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B U-17 AFCON qualifiers on Saturday, with a place at the 2024 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations also up for grabs for the winners.

This comes after the final Group B matches were played on Thursday with victories for Nigeria and Burkina Faso who progress to the last four.

Burkina Faso overcame Niger 1-0 courtesy of Latif Junior Diaby's first-half strike to advance, having earlier drawn 0-0 with the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria in the previous group match.

Nigeria will take on Cote d'Ivoire in the other semi-final after topping their section by seeing off Togo 3-0 in their final group game, with Abdulmuiz Adeleke netting a brace and Rapha Adams scoring the other.

Meanwhile, hosts Ghana sealed top spot in Group A with victories over Cote d'Ivoire (5-1) and Benin (2-0) to book their last-four meeting with the Young Stallions, who finished runners-up in Group B behind Nigeria.

The Black Starlets, who are aiming to win the regional championship on home soil, know victory at the University of Ghana stadium will seal a return to the U-17 Nations Cup for the first time since 2017.

Ghana were semi-finalists two years ago but missed out on the last edition after an early exit, and coach Laryea Kingston has spoken of his players' burning desire to make up for that disappointment this time around.

"This team is very hungry and determined to go all the way and qualify for the U-17 AFCON," he said.

"They have followed the instructions and approached each game with the resolve to win."

Kingston's charges are expected to be roared on by a vociferous home crowd in Accra, adding further intensity to what promises to be a keenly contested derby encounter against the Burkinabe.

The winners will advance to Sunday's final and secure their place at the U17 AFCON, while the losing semi-finalists will play off for third place.

The semi-final schedule: 

Saturday May 25

1700 GMT: Ghana vs Burkina Faso

200 GMT: Nigeria vs Cote d'Ivoire