The final day of matches in Group A of the 2019 WAFU B Women’s Tournament, held in Abidjan, confirmed Côte d’Ivoire as group winners ahead of Ghana after a tense and closely contested conclusion.
The headline fixture of the day brought together hosts Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana in what was effectively a battle for first place. The match, played at the Robert Champroux Stadium, was hard-fought and intense, reflecting the stakes involved. Both teams showed strong organization and determination, but neither managed to find the breakthrough. The encounter was also marked by a temporary interruption linked to organizational issues at the stadium, which disrupted the rhythm of the game and added to the tense atmosphere. Despite several efforts at both ends, the score remained goalless, and the match ended in a 0–0 draw.
Although the Black Queens succeeded in holding their opponents, it was Côte d’Ivoire who ultimately finished top of the group. Clémentine Touré’s side had done enough in their previous matches to secure first place, and the draw was sufficient to confirm their position at the summit of Group A. For the Elephants, topping the group on home soil was a significant boost, rewarding their consistency and defensive solidity throughout the group stage. Ghana, meanwhile, had to settle for second place, but also secured qualification for the semi-finals.
In the day’s other Group A fixture, which involved the two teams already eliminated from contention, Togo ended their campaign on a positive note by defeating Senegal 2–1. The match provided an opportunity for both sides to restore some pride after earlier setbacks, and it was Togo who made the most of it. Afi Woedikou opened the scoring, giving the Togolese side confidence and control, before Bertille Konou added a second goal to strengthen their advantage. Senegal responded and managed to pull one goal back, but they were unable to complete a comeback. The final whistle confirmed a morale-boosting victory for Togo, while Senegal exited the tournament without progressing beyond the group stage.
With Group A now concluded, attention turns to the final matches in Group B, which will determine the semi-final line-ups. Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, already assured of their places in the last four, will learn the identities of their next opponents on Tuesday. The suspense remains high, as the results in Group B will shape the rest of the competition and decide the pairings for the knockout phase.
What is already certain is that Nigeria and Mali have secured qualification from Group B. Both teams have shown strong form and consistency, guaranteeing their presence in the semi-finals before the final round of group matches. Their performances have marked them as serious contenders for the title, and they now await confirmation of whether they will face Côte d’Ivoire or Ghana in the next stage.
The conclusion of Group A underlined the competitive nature of this year’s WAFU B Women’s Tournament. The goalless draw between the two group leaders illustrated the fine margins separating the top teams, while Togo’s victory over Senegal demonstrated that even those out of contention remain capable of producing committed and entertaining football. As the tournament moves into its decisive phase, the focus will shift to the semi-finals, where the remaining teams will battle for a place in the final and the chance to lift the regional trophy.
