WAFU B U17: Burkina Faso and Nigeria set for Bronze battle 

Burkina Faso will face Nigeria in the third-place play-off of the WAFU B U17 Tournament on Friday, 3 October, at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro.

The match kicks off at 15:00 GMT, with both teams competing for the bronze medal after missing out on the final.

The two sides are familiar foes, having already clashed in the group stage where they played out a 0-0 draw.

Burkina Faso’s U17 Stallions arrive at this fixture following a semi-final defeat to Ivory Coast and are determined to end their campaign on a high.

Coach Moussa Sanogo, alongside young standout Mohamed Konaté, underlined their intent in a pre-match press conference, pledging to deliver a spirited display despite falling short of the ultimate prize.

We want to secure the podium and bring smiles back to our supporters, Sanogo said, encapsulating the team’s mindset ahead of the contest.

Nigeria, similarly frustrated by their semi-final elimination, view this play-off as a chance to reaffirm their stature in West African youth football.

Known for their competitive edge in age-group tournaments, the Flying Eagles are determined to make a statement even if only a bronze medal is on offer.

The encounter promises to be intense, with both sides eager to salvage pride and finish their campaigns with a victory.

Tournament organisers confirmed that Burkina Faso will wear white while Nigeria will appear in their traditional green, adding a symbolic contrast to a fixture expected to test both teams’ resilience.

Though the stakes are largely symbolic compared to the final, the clash remains a crucial test of character for two young squads seeking to show their growth and potential on the regional stage.

This third-place showdown will open the closing day of the competition, setting the stage for the evening’s grand finale between Ivory Coast and Ghana at 19:00 GMT.

With the bronze medal up for grabs, Burkina Faso and Nigeria have a final opportunity to leave their mark on the 2024 edition of the UFOA B U17 Tournament before attention shifts to the championship match.

For both teams, Friday’s game is more than a consolation fixture — it is a chance to transform disappointment into momentum and end their journey in Yamoussoukro with a measure of success.