Defending champions Ivory Coast got their 2025 WAFU Zone B U20 Boys Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso on Friday.
The Group B encounter, staged at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, saw the Young Elephants put in a solid display to secure all three points in their tournament opener.
Ivory Coast opened the scoring just before halftime, with Yaya Tapé finishing off a well-worked attacking move to hand his side a narrow 1-0 lead at the break.
Burkina Faso came out fighting in the second half, pressing high in search of an equaliser. However, the Ivorians held their ground and doubled their advantage in the 75th minute through Namory Keita, whose strike provided a crucial cushion.
Burkina Faso managed to pull one back five minutes later when Salif Simporé found the back of the net, but it proved too little, too late.
After the win, Ivory Coast now sit top of the Group B standings and look set to put up a fight to defend their title.
