Ivory Coast celebrates their win in the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup Final at University of Ghana Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Kalani Chai-Andrade/Joy Sports)
Côte d’Ivoire claimed the 2025 WAFU-B U20 Boys Cup title with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Nigeria in the final on July 23, 2025, at the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra.
The Young Elephants completed a flawless campaign, winning all five of their matches en route to the title. After topping their group with wins over Burkina Faso (2-1), Niger (1-0), and Togo (2-0), they overcame hosts Ghana 2-1 in the semifinals.
In a tightly contested final, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, seven-time African U20 Cup of Nations champions, held firm for most of the match.
But in the 93rd minute, Ivorian forward Zakaria Tindano capitalized on an error from Nigeria goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, slotting home the decisive goal after a mishandled free kick.
The win solidified Ivory Coast’s dominance throughout the tournament and earned them regional bragging rights in West Africa’s premier youth competition.
See the match through the lens of Joy Sports’ Kalani Chai-Andrade:
Players of Ivory Coast pose for a team photo before the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup Final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast at University of Ghana Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Kalani Chai-Andrade/Joy Sports)Players of Nigeria pose for a team photo before the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup Final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast at University of Ghana Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Kalani Chai-Andrade/Joy Sports)Nigeria forward Imrana Muhammad #14 and Ivorian defender Abdoul Goudousse Bamba #2 contest the ball during the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup Final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast at University of Ghana Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Kalani Chai-Andrade/Joy Sports)Nigeria forward Imrana Muhammad #14 lays injured as the match continues during the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup Final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast at University of Ghana Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Kalani Chai-Andrade/Joy Sports)Nigeria forward Oluwaseun Qudus Olayiwola #15 takes a shot on goal during the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup Final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast at University of Ghana Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Kalani Chai-Andrade/Joy Sports)Ivorian defender Zakaria Tindano #12 reacts after being tackled by Nigeria forward Oluwaseun Qudus Olayiwola #15 during the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup Final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast at University of Ghana Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Kalani Chai-Andrade/Joy Sports)Players react after Ivory Coast wins the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup Final at University of Ghana Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Kalani Chai-Andrade/Joy Sports)Ivorian midfielder Ali Koné #15 hurdles a Nigeria player during the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup Final between Nigeria and Ivory Coast at University of Ghana Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Kalani Chai-Andrade/Joy Sports)Ivory Coast head coach Younes Zerdouk hugs one of his players after winning the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup Final at University of Ghana Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Kalani Chai-Andrade/Joy Sports)Ivory Coast celebrates their win in the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup Final at University of Ghana Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Kalani Chai-Andrade/Joy Sports)Ivorian goalkeeper Christian Zigui #1 receives award for best goalkeeper in the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup Final at University of Ghana Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Kalani Chai-Andrade/Joy Sports)Ivorian forward Yaya Tape #7 receives the best player award in the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup Final at University of Ghana Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Kalani Chai-Andrade/Joy Sports)Ivorian Zakaria Tindano #12 and Ghana Aziz Musibau #19 share the title of top scorer in the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup at University of Ghana Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Kalani Chai-Andrade/Joy Sports)Ivorian captain Abdoul Goudousse Bamba #2 celebrates with his team after winning the WAFU B U20 Boys Cup Final at University of Ghana Stadium on July 23, 2025 in Accra, Ghana. (Photo by Kalani Chai-Andrade/Joy Sports)
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