Ghana and Nigeria will go head-to-head in a highly anticipated opening fixture of the 2024 UFOA B Under-20 Championship, with the group stage set to begin on 10 July.
Tournament organisers released the full group stage schedule on Monday, confirming a series of key matchups across seven national sides competing for regional supremacy in West Africa.
The clash between Ghana and Nigeria will kick off the competition at 3:00 p.m. and is already being viewed as a potential final played far too early.
A total of nine matches will be played in the group stage, featuring high-stakes encounters between traditional rivals and emerging powers.
With regional pride and qualification at stake, the tournament is expected to deliver both intensity and excitement from the outset.
Following the Ghana-Nigeria opener, the tournament continues on 11 July with two matches. At 3:00 p.m., Ivory Coast will face Burkina Faso, setting the stage for another fierce battle between two technically gifted teams. Later that evening at 6:00 p.m., Niger will take on Togo in what could be a tightly contested affair.
On 13 July, Nigeria will return to action to play Benin at 3:00 p.m., looking to build momentum after their opener against Ghana. The following day, 14 July, sees another double-header.
Niger will challenge Ivory Coast at 3:00 p.m., before Burkina Faso take on Togo at 6:00 p.m. as the group stage continues to gather pace.
Attention will shift on 16 July to a key fixture between Benin and Ghana at 3:00 p.m., a match that could prove decisive in determining semi-final places depending on earlier results.
The group phase concludes on 17 July with two simultaneous matches at 3:00 p.m. Burkina Faso will meet Niger, while Togo will go up against Ivory Coast in a critical closing round.
Full Group Stage Schedule:
- 10 July, 3:00 p.m. – Ghana vs Nigeria
- 11 July, 3:00 p.m. – Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso
- 11 July, 6:00 p.m. – Niger vs Togo
- 13 July, 3:00 p.m. – Nigeria vs Benin
- 14 July, 3:00 p.m. – Niger vs Ivory Coast
- 14 July, 6:00 p.m. – Burkina Faso vs Togo
- 16 July, 3:00 p.m. – Benin vs Ghana
- 17 July, 3:00 p.m. – Burkina Faso vs Niger
- 17 July, 3:00 p.m. – Togo vs Ivory Coast
The tournament brings together some of the region’s most promising young football talents, with scouts and coaches closely monitoring performances ahead of potential international breakthroughs. The competition also serves as a qualifying pathway for larger continental tournaments, giving added weight to every match played.
With rivalries renewed and the spotlight fixed on emerging stars, the 2024 UFOA B U20 Championship promises a thrilling fortnight of youth football in West Africa. All eyes will be on the opening day as Ghana and Nigeria, both heavyweights in African football, set the tone for what could be a fiercely competitive tournament.
