The race for the semi-final places at the WAFU Zone B U17 Girls Cup is set to intensify on Thursday as Matchday brings three crucial fixtures, with Nigeria and hosts Côte d’Ivoire set to headline the day at the Lycée Scientifique Stadium in Yamoussoukro.
Nigeria currently lead the standings with nine points from their opening three matches, while Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana sit joint second on six points each. Burkina Faso and Togo have three points apiece, with Niger yet to open their account.
Ghana will get the day’s action underway when they take on Niger at 09:00 GMT at the INPHB Centre. The Black Maidens will be looking to build on their six-point tally and strengthen their position at the top of the standings, while Niger will be seeking their first points of the competition.
The second fixture will see Burkina Faso face Togo at the Lycée Scientifique Stadium at 14:00 GMT. Both sides have three points and will be aware that victory could significantly improve their chances of advancing to the next stage of the competition.
The day’s highly anticipated encounter will then take place at 18:00 GMT when Nigeria lock horns with hosts Côte d’Ivoire at the Lycée Scientifique Stadium. With just three points separating the two teams, the meeting promises to be a decisive battle at the top of the group.
Nigeria’s perfect nine-point record gives them the advantage heading into the fixture, but Côte d’Ivoire will have home support behind them as they seek to close the gap on the leaders. Ghana will also be monitoring the outcome closely, with the Black Maidens aiming to finish Matchday Four in pole position.
With the group still finely poised, Friday’s three matches could have a major bearing on the final standings and the teams that progress to the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B U17 Girls Cup.
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