Niger have booked their place in the final of the 2026 WAFU B U17 Championship after edging past hosts Burkina Faso 1-0 in a keenly contested semi-final encounter.
Abdoul Rakilou proved to be the difference-maker, scoring the decisive goal in the 61st minute to hand Niger a crucial victory and end Burkina Faso’s hopes of reaching the final on home soil.
Both sides battled fiercely in an evenly contested encounter, with Niger eventually finding the breakthrough after the interval through Rakilou, whose goal proved enough to separate the two teams.
Burkina Faso pushed for an equaliser as they sought to keep their title hopes alive, but Niger remained resolute at the back to protect their slender advantage until the final whistle.
The victory sends Niger into the final, where they will face Ivory Coast in an exciting contest for the championship title.
Ivory Coast secured their place in the final after recording a 1-0 victory over Ghana in the other semi-final, with Alex Fousseni Bamba scoring the decisive goal in the 76th minute.
The final will see two of the tournament’s most determined sides battle for the WAFU B U17 crown, with Niger aiming to complete their impressive campaign with the title and Ivory Coast seeking to finish their run on a high.
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